Corporate Induction.

So this week, I have to attend the "corporate induction". I think it is quite interesting they call it "corporate" because we are a Swiss Foundation, and therefore do not fall under the "corporate" name. Anyway the purpose of such things, is to introduce the new comers to what the Fund does, the mission, the vision, how we do it, what departments in the company, etc...So we get 45mns presentation from each department. Feels like a little of being brain-washed because they all sing the same song: "we are doing great work, we are using the world's money to save lives". My favorite is from this lady from my team that said: "I think the new mission statement for the Global Fund should be: using the world's money to put funeral homes out of business". Because since The Global Fund has been investing in country programs, the mortality has decreased and therefore funeral homes are getting less business.

A figure struck me today though, without the efforts for the Global Fund (who has been around only for 7 years), 3.5 millions people would have died. Also, I have found out that we do not have any overheads (they are paid be the interest gained on the money given to the Fund from governments, so basically a dollar given to the Fund is used to support programs of treatment and prevention. Pretty cewl hey!

We had an HIV/AIDS training today, led by a 56 year old HIV positive man, who was diagnosed about 24 years ago - and surprisingly enough, amongst the 12 new comers in the room, I was probably the only one who had even met an HIV+ person, or was even aware of the HIV/AIDS story. And I kept wondering: "why did you guys decide to come and work here?". I was surprised on how little knowledge people had, but then I had to remind myself that if I had not moved to San Francisco, I would probably have been as ignorant as them. I felt privileged. Once again.

I am looking for the next two days session about TB and Malaria - it is gonna be new grounds for me and a learning experience. Hopefully I will have time to update this blog before I leave for Paris for the week end.

Remember, together we can make miracles happen.

Sabine