Dinner at the Tanzania State House
By Dr. Anja Giphart
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
March 14, 2008

In February 2008, President and Mrs. Bush visited several countries in Africa, including Tanzania. Anja Giphart, the Foundation’s country director in Tanzania, was invited to a state dinner to celebrate the Bushes’ visit. Below is a short account of her experience.

I recently attended a dinner at the Tanzania State House in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania’s capital) in honor of President and Mrs. Bush.

Two-hundred-fifty people were invited to the dinner, and only six of us were from organizations that receive funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

I was seated at a table with several ministers from Tanzania’s new cabinet, which was extremely interesting. We only got to see Mr. and Mrs. Bush and Condoleezza Rice from about ten meters away, but it was still nice. (Fifty people had dinner inside and the rest of us ate outside, but the Bushes and Condoleezza Rice came out to great us and see the dancers who were performing.)

The best part of the evening happened when we were leaving. President Kikwete (of Tanzania) and Mama Kikwete (the first lady) were shaking hands with all the guests. (The Bush's were hurried out of the building.) When it was my turn, the President recognized me and said, “Ah, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is here tonight as well. Thank you so much for coming.” You should have seen the eyes of Stefan Wiktor — the Tanzania country director for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He was very impressed! Also, the first lady recognized me and was very nice.

It’s wonderful to know that President and Mama Kikwete are so appreciative of the work we are doing to help children and families in Tanzania.

Great experience!