Samuel Anyula Gorigo

Samuel Anyula Gorigo, also known as Sam, is a dedicated healthcare professional with over five years of experience specializing in HIV prevention, care and treatment, as well as sexually transmitted infections. With a strong background in public health for key populations and advocacy for health rights championing accessibility, equity and inclusivity. Leading the clinical arm at HOYMAS Kenya, my project seeks to strengthen HIV prevention while amplifying anal health and HPV vaccine accessibility for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). My advocacy pushes for reforms in health policies and guidelines to be inclusive and equitable. Through the AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellowship, I intend to address health service gaps for GBMSM, advocating for comprehensive and responsive health policies that cater to the unique needs of key populations, ensuring equitable health systems for all.

Media/Advocacy

Rhoda Msiska

Rhoda is currently employed by Copper Rose Zambia. She was a 2023 AVAC Advocacy Navigator focused on lowering the age of consent for access to HIV prevention services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in gender studies from the University of Zambia where she was awarded best graduating student of her class and school of humanities and social sciences BA programme. As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow Rhoda will focus on the successful introduction of the Dual Prevention Pill with the goal of increasing women-controlled HIV prevention options in Zambia.

Mokone Rantsoeleba

Mokone is a community educator and advocate for people in prisons. He has supported demand creation and provided health information to increase incarcerated people’s knowledge on HIV/AIDS and improve their uptake of HIV services. He is a qualified Teacher and holds Bachelor of Education. As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow Mokone aims to streamline PrEP services in prisons. This project will create a beautiful vision in which there are no new HIV infections in Lesotho prisons.

Bahati Thomas Haule

Bahati is a rising advocate from Tanzania, advancing the rights and well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV), women, youth and marginalized communities. She has professional experience in the HIV response as a programs officer. She is also community representative in several spaces, including Tanzania Commission for AIDS, Medicines Patent Pool, AfroCAB and UNITAID. As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow, Bahati will focus on the scale-up of U=U for better health outcomes for those living with HIV as well as lower rates of HIV transmission among their sexual partners. She believes in a future where health, gender equity, and social justice intersect to create a world of inclusivity and empowerment.

Elina Mwasinga

Elina is an experienced advocate focused on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR). She wears many hats as an expert and as an advocate. Her positions include national coordinator for the National Association for Young People Living with HIV, a member of AVAC’s Cure ROAR program, a fellow alumni of the Advocacy for Cure Academy, a member of the board of trustees for the Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation, a member of the Coalition of Women Living with HIV (COWLHA) the Youth Forum for National Transformation (YOFONAT). As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow, Elina’s focus is on U=U and viral load suppression in children as a pathway to an HIV cure.

Media

Advocacy

Ezra Meme

Ezra is a public health advocate with a background in combating HIV-related stigma and contributing to the innovation of the HIV Stigma Index. His experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/TB care and treatment projects drives his evidence-based approach and supports his effort to integrate HIV prevention efforts with pandemic preparedness activities. As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow, Ezra aims to bolster Uganda’s response to emerging pandemic threats. As the country develops the New Action Plan for Health and Security, a unique opportunity is presented for budget advocacy and monitoring compliance with International Health Regulations. Through collaborative efforts, and fostering community engagement, Ezra hopes his project can empower vulnerable populations and build resilience against future health crises in our push for global health equity.

Pamela Fuzile

Pamela has over a decade of experience working in HIV prevention and implementation programs. She is currently a research administrator for FAST PrEP, an implementation science project providing differentiated PrEP (oral, vaginal, and injectable) delivery to adolescent and young people in South Africa. She played a significant role in the design of a Youth Reference Group (YRG) in the FAST Prep project in 2020.  And, notably, Pamela was involved in the development of youth centered delivery of STI partner notification. As an AVAC 2024 Advocacy Fellow, she aims to create a youth prevention advocacy platform.