First Lady Laura Bush Returns from Trip to Africa

July 18, 2005 - First Lady Laura Bush last week traveled with U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Randall Tobias to Africa. In addition to Ambassador Tobias, she was accompanied her daughter, Jenna Bush, and by the United Kingdom's First Lady Cherie Blair. Mrs. Bush described the trip as an emotional experience after visiting schools and programs in South Africa, Rwanda, and Tanzania, among them the FAWE Girls' School. She listened to the children telling about their experiences with genocide, AIDS, the struggle to receive education, and their hopes and dreams.

"All in all, I was very encouraged," said the First Lady. She talked with a 12-year-old girl, the head of an orphan-headed household, hearing of the death of her father from genocide, her mother's death from AIDS, her older brother who had become a street person, and her three younger brothers for whom she cares. Various organizations, including faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations, and vocational groups, are trying to help this young woman.

Talking to girls in the FAWE school and particularly to those in the Mothers-to-Be program, Mrs. Blair noted, "Those who have been helped" want to help others, some wanting to start orphanages and other programs.

Rwanda's first lady, Mrs. Kagame, accompanied Mrs. Bush as she visited programs receiving support from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Mrs. Bush spoke hopefully about the G-8 plan for debt relief for Africa, noting that much depends upon the African nations, and acknowledged that some critics are dubious about its success. Mrs. Bush expressed pride in the U.S. efforts to fight AIDS and assist countries in need of help, such as Rwanda, noting that progress is often slow, and "every step is difficult."

For more information:

• Mrs. Bush's Remarks at FAWE Girls' School in Rwanda (White House)
• Mrs. Bush's Visit to Africa (White House)
• Press Briefing by First Lady Laura Bush (White House)

Last revised: August 14, 2007