THE COMMENDED PROGRAM
In May of 1999, BMS and the BMS Foundation (BMSF) announced a groundbreaking five year $100 million initiative called Secure the Future TM: Care and Support for Women and Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (STF). It was the first major private philanthropic program to target the epidemic in Africa. The goal of STF was and remains to support innovative, cost-effective, sustainable and replicable models of care and support in resource-limited settings. Through the years, STF has grown to a $150 million commitment with partnerships in 20 African countries.

Through STF, BMS supports medical research; community education and supportive services; training for doctors and other healthcare professionals; and the construction of new facilities and infrastructure in resource-limited communities.

A core focus, however, is pediatric AIDS. The Baylor College of Medicine and STF developed the first African treatment center devoted exclusively to the testing, treatment and care of HIV-infected infants and children-as well as their families-in Botswana. Three other Children's Clinical Centers of Excellence quickly followed-in Swaziland, Lesotho and Uganda-with two more under construction in Tanzania and Kenya.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Capacity Building for NGOs
STF has established Africa's first NGO Training Institute-a virtual training center with courses, certificate
programs, and training modules aimed at building management and good governance skills among
community organizations working to fight HIV/AIDS across Africa.

Community-Based Treatment Support Model (CBTSP)
Through the CBTSP model, STF focuses not only on antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV/
AIDS, but also cost-effective support services like nutritional support and home-based care. STF leverages the
strengths of government, the private sector and community-based organizations to offer a true continuum of
care-which helps sustain health gains over the long term.