Mette-Marits visit to Malawi January 2005

[Dennism]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The main objective of the visit is to focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and to study the response to this from Malawian authorities in cooperation with Norway and International Organisations.

In Malawi

HIV Infected: 900,000
AIDS Deaths: 87,000
AIDS Orphans: 380,000

Out of about 11 million people.

[kwanfan]

Originally Posted by Dennism

"A child in Malawi has a 25% chance of dying before reaching 5 years of age. A cholera outbreak orphaned 400,000 children. "
Let´s hope the Crown Princess´s presence and warm smile will bring joy to all of the children of Malawi. Mulungu Dalitsani Malawi.

Wow! That statistic is heartbreaking! ITA hopefully Mette-Marit's visit will bring happiness to these children and draw some attention to Malwai.

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

It's good to see Mette-Marit working for a good cause, but I can't help but wonder whether it will have any effect. I don't doubt her skills and good intentions, but after so many campaigns of sensibilisation and prevention, aids keeps spreading more and more in Africa, the number of infected people has only increased dramatically. What can a Norwegian princess change?

[Larzen]

I dont think anyone thinks that Mette-Marit will change anything, nor do I think any other princess will make life altering changes on the things they support or places they visit, not in the big picture atleast. Mostly there will be some "what did she wear storys" and some pictures with children in the in the less then serious glossy magazines, and some focus on Malawi in the more serious papers and on the news, at least that is usually how it works in the scandinavian countries... is it different in Belgium?

However every year Malawi recives 200 millions NOK from Norway in forreign aid and is one of the target countrys for Norwegian development funds. One purpose with this trip, where she is accompanied by the development minister, is to see where\how the Norwegian money is spent and to open a Norwegian funded resource and education center, not to find a cure for AIDS

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by Cathérine Bergeyck

It's good to see Mette-Marit working for a good cause, but I can't help but wonder whether it will have any effect. I don't doubt her skills and good intentions, but after so many campaigns of sensibilisation and prevention, aids keeps spreading more and more in Africa, the number of infected people has only increased dramatically. What can a Norwegian princess change?

I think that she has the ability to put the media's spotlight on the cases. I certainly had no idea of how heavy Malawi was hit before she visited. I did know that Africa has major problems. However Malawi isn't a very large country, and not very often featured in the news in Norway.

Mette-Marit's visit gives a visibility for Malawi in the Norwegian press.

[Lyonnaise]

some more Day 2 photos from Getty

LILONGWE, MALAWI - JANUARY 24: HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visits Kamuzu Hospital on January 24, 2005 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The princess is in Malawi until January 27, accompanied by the Norwegian Development Minister, Ms Hilde F. Johnson, focusing on the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and to study the response to this from Malawian authorities in cooperation with Norway and International Organisations.

[Lyonnaise]

last set of day 2 photos from Getty

[Dennism]

Originally Posted by Larzen

She is the first forreign royal ever to visit Malawi

I was curious about this so I decided to do some research. I have found evidence of other royals visiting:

Prince Charles: 1987 SWAZILAND, MALAWI AND KENYA: Tour as a director of the Commonwealth Development Corporation, March 27 - April 2

Queen Mother visited in 1957 and in 1960 when it was still a colony.

But Mette-Marit is the first Norwegian Royal to visit the country.

Thanks for the photos, Lyonnaise.

[norwegianne]

That will teach us to rely on the Norwegian press for our information

Originally Posted by Dennism

I was curious about this so I decided to do some research. I have found evidence of other royals visiting:

Prince Charles: 1987 SWAZILAND, MALAWI AND KENYA: Tour as a director of the Commonwealth Development Corporation, March 27 - April 2

Queen Mother visited in 1957 and in 1960 when it was still a colony.

But Mette-Marit is the first Norwegian Royal to visit the country.

Thanks for the photos, Lyonnaise.

[pdas1201]

More pics Mette Marit's first day in Malawi (sorry just found them...)

[pdas1201]

some more...

[Alexandria]

Thanks Lyonnaise and pdas1201 for all the pictures. Mette-Marit seems to be enjoying herself very much and the children seem to be enjoying her a lot, too!

[pdas1201]

Day 3

Princess Mette Marit visited the Wards for malnutrition and the maternity ward at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital

[pdas1201]

Princess Mette Marit also visited Chiradzulu District Hospital and met representatives from Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF).

[pdas1201]

Princess Mette Marit visited Nasfarm, an organization which is based on local farmer's clubs