Film, speakers to highlight need for aid in Africa

Bracelet of Hope, a grassroots organization based in Guelph that engages Canadians in the fight against AIDS in Africa, will present a fundraising and movie screening event this weekend.

The public is invited to the Bookshelf Cinema in Guelph on Oct. 20 at 2:30pm to watch Life Above All, a story about one South African family’s struggle with AIDS.

There is no charge to watch the movie but donations will be accepted to Bracelet of Hope.

Following the film Pastor James Qhobela and his wife, Matsepo, will speak about their experience caring for AIDS orphans in Lesotho, Africa.

Norah Menzies, from the Grandmother’s Advocacy Network in Guelph, will also speak about Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR), a bill to help get affordable, generic drugs to those in Africa and the developing world.

In March 2011, a bill to reform CAMR (Bill C-393) was passed in the House of Commons with strong support from MPs from all parties. But the bill died in the Senate when a federal election was called.

The bill is now being debated again in Parliament.