WASHINGTON, D.C., November 5, 1999—Two Peace Corps volunteers in Malawi participated in a major initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in Malawi this week. The initiative, sponsored by the Malawi Ministry of Health, gained political support of the Malawian President Muluzi following a presentation made by Dr. Elizabeth Marrum of the Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Ambassador Ellen Shippy. Stacia Nordin, 31, and Kristof Nordin, 30, of Holmen, Wisc., represented Peace Corps at the official launching of the initiative, along with 26 other organizations working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Nordins designed the Peace Corps exhibit, one of the most popular exhibits at the event, and Radio Malawi interviewed Kristof Nordin.
The new HIV/AIDS initiative is designed to increase awareness with regard to traditional cultural practices that contribute to the spread of the disease. The importance the Malawi government gave to this event will have a significant impact on preventing the spread of the terrible disease.
This is the second tour of service in the Peace Corps for the Nordins, who first met while serving in Jamaica from 1991-93.