SENEGAL/ASIA - Working with FLOTUS

Before politics were toxic, people across the aisle worked together for the greater good. You could have the First Lady's office (with a conservative Republican in the White House), reach out to me, a dark blue liberal gay Democrat, to work together to put some good out in the world.

I spent time with Mr. and Mrs. Bush at the White House, advised Mrs. Bush at the Uniter Nations regarding the Burmese refugee crisis, travelled to Senegal with Mrs. Bush and Jenna, designed a trip for her to Thailand to visit a hospital I loved on the Burmese border, and then met up again in Utah, where I got to introduce her to my family.

I have a great fondness for her, and remain grateful for what we were able to accomplish together.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

After our time together at the United Nations, the first project we did with First Lady Laura Bush was in Senegal, working with DIG.

DIG BACKGROUND: Development in Gardening (DIG) is an organization in Senegal, created to build vegetable gardens next to hospitals and HIV clinics.  By providing food to aid with the ARV (Anti-RetroViral) therapy provided by USAID, the much needed component of nutrition in patient care is realized. 

The DIG gardens create over 500 lbs. of vegetables per month, with the clinic being able to sell the excess vegetables to help with transportation costs to and from the clinic.

We first began our collaboration with DIG in the summer of 2006, and have been working to raise money and awareness for their efforts ever since. DIG has introduced new gardening techniques to the hospital, along with new vegetables such as kale and collard greens - to replace the more traditional (although with much lower nutrition value) cucumber and eggplant. The garden has been an overwhelming success, both nutritionally and socially, creating a sense of community with a gathering place for those receiving treatment.

When a friend of mine asked where they could help in Africa, I proposed DIG to “The Penitent Yanks” - a group competing in the “Plymouth to Dakar Rally” who were looking for a charity. They raised thousands of dollars for DIG through their efforts - primarily through a fundraiser at former Senator Tom Daschle's home.

Then when the White House asked about groups in Africa that Mrs. Bush may be interested in, we immediately proposed DIG, and in June 2007 she arrived to tour the site in Senegal.

I was among the Senegalese dignitaries to greet her to the site, while Steve gave her and Jenna a tour of the garden, where they picked vegetables to help prepare lunch for the patients.  She also met privately with some of the women affected with HIV, handed out over 2,000 malaria nets with USAID, and spoke of the importance of nutrition for HIV patients, as well as her hope to help eradicating malaria.

It was covered by CNN and all the national news in Senegal, and will change the attitude of the Senegalese towards those who are HIV positive for years to come. We owe a debt of thanks to Derek Booth in the Secret Service, Mrs. Bush’s staff - Cherie Harder and Anita McBride, and especially her press secretary, Susan Whitson. Susan has continued to champion the work of Guerrilla Aid, and we are incredibly grateful for her support.