Changing Lives Every Day

Europe Day Brings Care to the Community In Estonia

AHF nurse Natalia Amman performs one of more than 60 HIV tests conducted during Europe Day celebrations.

AHF Estonia’s Linda Clinic joined community partners at the Europe Day celebration in Narva’s Town Hall Square on May 9 to expand access to care through free HIV testing, sexual health consultations, condoms, and prevention educational materials.

AHF Estonia distributed educational materials and 1,800 condoms to participants during the event.

By creating an open and welcoming space for direct engagement with the public, Linda Clinic staff highlighted the importance of accessible health services and community-based outreach.

Events like these play a vital role in reducing stigma, encouraging conversations around sexual health, and reaching individuals who may not otherwise seek testing or prevention services, helping connect more people to essential care.

Europe Day, observed annually on May 9, marks the founding of the European Union and promotes peace, unity, and cooperation across Europe.

AHF Estonia began in 2009 and today serves over 500 clients.

Calls Grow for Sexual Health Emergency Declaration in Argentina

National Deputies Gabriela Estévez (left), Claudia Palladino (second from left), and Esteban Paulón (center) join activists from the National HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis Coalition at the National Congress, where AHF Argentina participated in support of the proposed national emergency in sexual and reproductive health.

AHF Argentina joined health experts, activists, and legislators at the National Congress in April to support a newly introduced bill that would declare a national emergency in sexual and reproductive health in response to worsening public health indicators, including a sharp rise in STIs such as HIV and syphilis.

Driven by civil society organizations and supported by lawmakers across political parties, the proposal calls for urgent government action to restore funding, ensure access to treatment and prevention tools, and reestablish comprehensive sexual and reproductive health policies nationwide.

"We are here to call for a national emergency in sexual and reproductive health, because programs have been defunded, people’s quality of life has deteriorated, prevention campaigns have disappeared, condoms are not being procured, and there is no effective response to syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections,” said National Deputy Esteban Paulón.

AHF contributed data and formally endorsed the bill as part of a coalition of supporting organizations and will continue advocacy efforts to raise visibility around the initiative and support its progress through the legislative process in Congress.

AHF Argentina began operations in 2012 and currently serves more than 64,000 clients.

Cecilia Rodriguez (left), AHF Argentina Advocacy Manager, and Emiliano Fernández (right), AHF Argentina Rapid Testing Program Coordinator, at the National Congress.

Xiao Mianbao: Practicing Empathy Through Action

CHINA

Xiao Mianbao, commonly known as "Little Bread," is a medical social worker with Changsha First Hospital, an AHF partner facility, and a volunteer with AHF China's Food for Health program. His story is next in our "I Am AHF" series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what's right to save lives everyday.

"Through consistent work, I hope to continue building dignity and opportunity for marginalized communities," said Xiao.

I am Xiao Mianbao, but everyone calls me “Little Bread.” I am a medical social worker at Changsha First Hospital, an AHF partner facility. The nickname comes from my lifelong love of bread, which even inspired the name of my first social media account. It was given to me in 2018, when I began volunteering at an HIV/AIDS organization. At that time, nicknames based on fruits and vegetables were common, and “Little Bread” became mine.

In my role as a medical social worker, I provide psychological care and social services to clients, developing tailored case management approaches for different individuals. Through this position at the hospital, I became aware of AHF and its public health programs, which later led me to begin volunteering with the organization in support of its Food for Health program.

As a core Food for Health volunteer, I help provide clients with income-generating skills like gardening and crafting, along with supporting a platform on WeChat to help sell their handmade goods. As part of the program, I help manage the WeChat online store through product promotion, sales events, visual design, and article writing.

In China, WeChat is more than a communication tool; it is a complete ecosystem where users can move seamlessly from reading HIV education content to purchasing items made by AHF clients. This integration allows the project to reach specific communities at low cost while helping clients build financial independence through their skills.

Improving HIV Care for Thousands in Zambia

Dr. Webster Chishamabala Chewe (front, third from left), AHF Zambia Country Program Manager, Dr. Keneddy Lishimpi (front, middle), Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, and Martin Matabishi (front, third from right), AHF Africa Bureau Chief, join health officials and AHF representatives at the partnership launch.

On May 8, AHF Zambia officially launched a new partnership across seven Ministry of Health-owned facilities in Lusaka District, marking the expansion of care to an additional 57,782 clients under AHF’s treatment and support program.

The launch was held in collaboration with health officials from national headquarters and provincial, district, and facility levels, including Dr. Keneddy Lishimpi, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, who expressed appreciation for AHF’s continued commitment to the fight against HIV.

Click above to watch highlights from the launch event.

During the event, AHF donated essential equipment to strengthen service delivery, including computers for electronic medical records, tablets for data entry, linkage and retention, and furniture to improve comfort for clients and healthcare providers.

The supported facilities are among the busiest and highest HIV-burdened in Zambia, making the intervention a direct investment in underserved urban communities. The initiative is expected to strengthen health systems, improve treatment outcomes for people living with HIV, and support clients in achieving a better quality of life free from stigma and discrimination.

AHF Zambia launched in 2007 and today currently serves more than 320,000 clients.

Tune In to Our Podcast!

Season 2 Episode 1: Trans Power

In this episode, Queen Victoria Ortega, leader of Flux and Chief Visionary Officer of the Connie Norman Trans Empowerment Center, shares her journey as a trans Latina activist—and how investing in trans leadership drives real, transformative change for communities.

Click to follow us on social media.