Oluchi Orlandi and sons Ugo and Marco are joining the HIV/AIDS battle in Africa. The model and her kids recently spread awareness about the ‘Born Free’ initiative, which aims to stop the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child by 2015, through a photo shoot. Liya Kebede also joined the fight and was featured in the initiative’s campaign.
‘Born Free’ is made up of private entities that want to rid Africa of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that has managed to kill millions in the continent over a span of 30 years. Their goal is to eliminate the spread of AIDS from mother to child by December 31, 2015, through education and financial support. Shopbop.com, an Amazon fashion site, has offered a hand in finances by vowing to match all donations to ‘Born Free’ up to $500,000.
Africa accounted for more that 50% of AIDS related deaths in the world in 2011. The Sub-Saharan region alone accounts for more than 15% of HIV/AIDS cases in the continent. The nation of Malawi saw its first case of HIV/AIDS in 1985, and has since been forced to cope with more than 2.7 million people living with the virus.
Learn more about the spread of AIDS in Africa and the ‘Born Free’ initiative here.
Photos: Patrick Demarchelier
