The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

CÔTE D’IVOIRE: Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la Lutte Contre le SIDA Pediatrique

The Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la Lutte contre le SIDA Pédiatrique (Fondation Ariel) works to eliminate pediatric AIDS and provide care and treatment for those already living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire. Fondation Ariel implements innovative strategies to combat the HIV epidemic and ensure access to sustainable health services for children, women, and families.

In collaboration with the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Health and partners including EGPAF, Fondation Ariel supports the provision of high-quality HIV services and ensures that efforts to reach the goal of the elimination of pediatric AIDS are well-integrated into existing local and regional health systems.

Download a copy of the fact sheet "A Shared Vision to Eliminate Pediatric AIDS" in French.

Elizabeth and Ariel Glaser.

(Photo: EGPAF)

Ariel Glaser’s Story

Fondation Ariel was named in honor of Ariel Glaser, the daughter of U.S. pediatric AIDS advocate Elizabeth Glaser. Elizabeth contracted HIV through a blood transfusion while giving birth to Ariel, and unknowingly passed the virus on to Ariel through breast milk. Ariel lost her battle with AIDS in 1988, and Elizabeth created the Pediatric AIDS Foundation to raise money for critical AIDS research for children. Elizabeth lost her own battle with AIDS in 1994, and to honor her legacy, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation was renamed the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF).

Before she passed away, Ariel created a painting of how she envisioned the world—as a beautiful garden kept bright with sunshine and surrounded by love. Her inspiration serves as EGPAF’s logo, and now as Fondation Ariel’s logo, representing hope for children everywhere.

HIV and AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire

Approximately 450,000 people are living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire. Of those, 63,000 are children under the age of 15 (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2010). Fondation Ariel is working to prevent new pediatric HIV infections and provide treatment to those already living with the virus.

(Photo: EGPAF)

Where Fondation Ariel Works

Fondation Ariel has offices in Abidjan and Abengourou, and currently supports quality HIV prevention, care, and treatment services led by regional and district health authorities at more than 252 health facilities in seven regions in Côte d’Ivoire—Moyen-Comoé, N’zi Comoé, Bas-Sassandra, Agnéby, Lagunes 1, Lagunes 2 and Zanzan.

Fondation Ariel’s Affiliation with EGPAF

Fondation Ariel is an independent organization developed with support from EGPAF. As partners, Fondation Ariel and EGPAF work collaboratively to reach people with essential HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. Fondation Ariel receives technical assistance and guidance from EGPAF, but is an independent organization governed and led by citizens or permanent residents of Côte d’Ivoire.

EGPAF developed Fondation Ariel and additional independent organizations in Mozambique and Tanzania with an aim to increase access to high-quality HIV services and build local momentum and sustainable progress toward the elimination of pediatric AIDS.

Partners

The information described here was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and through the guidance and support of EGPAF. The contents are the responsibility of Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la Lutte contre le SIDA Pédiatrique and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CDC, the U.S. government, or other supporters.