Meet Rosie - The little girl who inspired me to bike across Tanzania

Dear Jim,
The first time I came to Tanzania, I met a little girl named Rosie, who was 2 years old, HIV positive and very, very sick with pneumonia. The first day I met her, she could barely stand she was so weak and her foster mother Nora was making baptismal arrangements for her, hoping that if she did not make it through the week, she would at least be baptized. Everyone assumed she had HIV, as her mother died of it, but no one had actually tested her. After hearing that news I loaded up 5 kids and went straight to the doctors. Rosie was in fact positive, but had never received any vitamins, medicine for her pneumonia, etc. When I left Tanzania 6 weeks later, Rosie was running around with the other children. Now 5 1/2 years later she is still healthy, active, loves new clothes (preferably pink) and in the top 3 in her class. She also has routine visits to The Dream Clinic, a clinic for HIV/AIDS patients and she receives a supplementary diet in order to keep both her and Rachel (another HIV positive child in TFFT's program) healthy and strong. I know that TFFT has literally given Rosie a future, and now I get to spend each day with this happy and adorable child. I am also able to see how she has inspired others, such as yourself to take action!

I am so looking forward to meeting you here in July. I've been out on the RideTZ route and must say, it's going to be an unbelievable ride! We cover so much terrain, and so many different areas. I think Tanzania is a gorgeous country, but being out on this ride made me appreciate it even more. Having known several of these children for five 1/2 years now, and watching them grow in a safe environment, with people and teachers who really care about their well being is the best result I could ask for. However, being able to share them, and their country with others is more than special.

Asante sana Jim, for your commitment and passion. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you make this ride a successful and memorable experience!

All my best,

Emily

PS- Here's a favorite Rosie picture for you!! This is on a little field trip to Snake Park...she was one of the brave girls:)




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Emily Cottingham
Development Director, Tanzania
The Foundation For Tomorrow
P.O Box 119
Duluti, Arusha

+255 787 765 135