One of my fondest memories was on a visit to one of the countries that PEPFAR supports in 2008. I was heading to the bank to withdraw some cash from my U.S. bank account. The bank teller asked me what I did for a living. Since the term "supply chain" is not known to many, I replied, "I buy HIV/AIDS treatment to donate to the people of your country who are living with HIV/AIDS." I will never forget the way she stared at me—it was like she was frozen in time.
She then said, "You came to my home," and I quickly replied, "No, I didn't." I thought I might have said something inappropriate and started to look around me to see if there was anybody else around me to witness this conversation that was getting awkward. She again said, "Yes, you did," and I replied, "I am sorry, I do not understand what you are talking about. I have never been to your home."
She insisted, "Yes you did. My father had fallen gravely ill and had been bedridden for over a year. He couldn't eat well or move with ease, and needed to be assisted at all times. He stopped working and was no longer able to support our family. One day, the village nurse asked my mother to bring him over to the clinic to check him. She had him tested, and his test was positive for HIV/AIDS. She immediately gave him treatment. Since then, his health has improved and he is back to his job." She continued, "You know, sir, the best thing is that he talks to me now, and with a big smile like he used to. Yes, you came to my home and gave my beloved father back to me."
That day, I walked out of the bank with a big smile, feeling like I was the richest man on earth. I helped save a person's life. I said to myself, "That's what I want to do for the rest of my life."
Sherif Mowafy is the Deputy Division Chief for the Supply Chain for Health Division at USAID's Office of HIV/AIDS
