Former US President George W. Bush in Botswana

Former US President and First Lady George and Laura Bush are expected in Botswana today. Bush will be in the country to celebrate the remarkable progress made over the past two decades to address the challenges of disease, poverty and security.

The visit is expected to highlight the critical role that U.S. foreign aid has played in delivering lifesaving treatment for HIV/AIDS to nearly 12 million people. The Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon campaign launched in 2011 by the Bush Institute, PEPFAR, UNAIDS and Susan G. Koen, along with other private and public partners – builds upon the HIV/AIDS platform to combat cervical and breast cancer in the developing world.  

The former President and Mrs. Bush are also expected to visit Namibia to celebrate the remarkable progress made over the past two decades to address the challenges of disease, poverty and security. According to the George W. Bush Institute (GWBI) this will be Bushes’ seventh visit to Africa since leaving office. A Bush institute press release further   explains that   the visit demonstrates President and Mrs. Bush's continued commitment to the people of Africa through the GWBI global leadership programs.

Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon began working with the Government of Botswana in 2012. Thanks to the ongoing partnership, more than 22,000 women have been screened for cervical cancer and more than 70,000 girls have been fully vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV) in Botswana.

In Gaborone, the former President and Mrs. Bush are expected to visit a clinic providing screening and treatment services for cervical cancer, discuss new technologies for fighting cervical cancer and visit a school representative of the country’s vaccination program.