National Minority AIDS Council Building Healthier Communities
Building Leadership in Communities of Color to Address HIV/AIDS
NMAC Supports Puerto Rico Delegation Work at AIDS Watch
NMAC Supports Puerto Rico Delegation Work at AIDS Watch
NMAC and a delegation from Puerto Rico, participated in this year's AIDS Watch in Washington, DC. Below are thank you letters from the participants.
Me dirijo a tí haciendo uso de mi idioma vernáculo, el Español, por que así se me hará mas fácil expresarme, igual le envío el mensaje a Jorge para que en caso de ser necesario nos ayude a ambos con la traducción. Sinceramente no tengo palabras para agraderte a tí y a organización que diriges, NMAC, la oportunidad de haberme provisto la beca para asistir a Aidswatch 2009 en Washington, D.C. La verdad que fue una experiencia muy, pero muy enriquecedora, que aportó herramientas de eso que tanto necesitamos las personas que vivimos con VIH / sida en Puerto Rico, APODERAMIENTO. Si bien es cierto que solo contamos con un funcionario electo allá en Washington, el Comisionado Residente Pedro R. Pierluisi, quien nos recibió personalmente y atendió nuestras preocupaciones, igualmente visitamos la oficina de la Congresista Nydia Velázquez, en donde nos atendió el Sr. Max Trujillo. Definitivamente la experiencia fue una que dejará huellas permanente en mi vida, y eso te lo tengo que agradecer a tí, a Jorge, a los compañeros de la delegación de Puerto Rico, y a todos los que de una u otra forma aportaron a que la vivencia haya sido tan significativa. Antes de finalizar por esta ocasión, lo que significa que el contacto seguirá, gracias a la computadora e Internet, quisiera decirte que me dirijo a tí, así como si fueras parte de mi familia, y no en esa formalidad del "usted", aunque eso no significa que le respete, si no que es alguien más cercano y que aún más merece todo mi respeto, por que uno respeta a las personas que quiere y ama, fue hasta cierto punto un poco preocupante no verle en la actividad, de verdad me hubiera gustado verte y agradecerte en persona. Por los demás, conocimos a Jeffrey S. Crowley, la congresista Lucille Roybal-Allard, Ravinia Hayes-Cozier y también a Frank Beadle De Palomo, quienes serán contactos importantes de ahora en adelante en lo que a esfuerzos e iniciativas concierne. Una vez más, GRACIAS, de todo corazón, Dios te bendiga siempre y te de SALUD para continuar con la importante misión que hasta ahora haz llevado de una manera tan extraordinaria.
My Deepest and sincerest Thanks to You for your Support on Aids Watch 2009
May 1, 2009
To a Great Friend, Mr. Paul
Kawata:
I met you for the first time on the Conference in Puerto Rico held this year. I was very impressed with
your attention to our affairs here in Puerto
Rico concerning us persons living with HIV/AIDS. This is a new
chapter in my life since I was never into activism of any kind. I was very
touched and impressed with the meeting we had back in the conference among other
patients confronting problems of many types here in the island. Also with your
remarks on the closing of the conference and all the struggles you and your
friends had to endure in the fight against Aids. Words to live by and example
of steps to follow when it comes to someone starting in this role. I am very
grateful to you for all the support you and your organization National Minority
Aids Council has given us so far.
I was part of the delegation from
Puerto Rico that was recently on Washington DC
for the NAPWA Aids Watch 2009. I am grateful for the support once again you
gave us with the travel arrangements and such that made possible for us to be
able to assume an active role in our efforts to improve our quality of life as
persons living with HIV/AIDS here in the island. Thanks to this we were
received with open arms by all the delegations from the rest of the states. We
were made to feel welcome and part of the whole in these struggles that every
state and territory is confronting. You and your organization made possible to
"put a face on the problem" ...we are not just numbers or facts, for that I
will always be grateful. While in Washington
we met with Jeffrey Crowley Director of ONAP, Lucille
Roybal-Allard, and Ravinia Hayes-Cozier from NMAC. We were able to arrange
meetings with Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Our Resident Commisioner Pedro
Pierluisi. Both meetings were very intense and very positive for our cause.
You and your organization made possible the opening of many doors to be able
to shed light into our current situation here in the island. I regret not
being able to thank you in person while in Washington DC,
but I take this brief lines to say you have a Friend, a Brother here in the
island. Thanks for letting Dr. Jorge Delgado escort us and support us through
all this process, he became that important foundation to be able to construct
all this accomplishments. We also met with Ravinia Hayes-Cournier on the
Bienestar conference and her presentation and welcoming support were of great
satisfaction to our delegation. I accompany some pictures of the events in
this email.
Once Again Thank You and your organization for giving us that
support so desperately needed. If you ever need anything, feel free to count
on us.
Your Friend,
Raul Daniel Rosario
PUERTO RICO
