“I am very honored that the UNFPA has realized the potential of what I could do in my country concerning the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” -- Mpule Kwelagobe

Profile

Mpule Kwelagobe (Mmm-poo-lay Kwhe-la-hobay), MISS UNIVERSE 1999, was the first delegate ever from her home country of Botswana to enter the MISS UNIVERSE Pageant--and she won! Mpule was born the youngest of three children to Justice and Dibelang Kwelagobe in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. In 1997 she moved to Lobatse to attend a special high school for students interested in electronics and science.

As Miss Universe 1999, Mpule traveled the world as a representative of the organization, its sponsors and official charity, AIDS Awareness. Mpule has been particularly active in AmFar (Americans for AIDS Research), Hale House, a home for children born with HIV and drug addiction, Gods Love We Deliver, an organization that provides meals for home-bound AIDS patients, and DISHES (Determined Involved Super-rolemodels Helping to End Suffering). Mpule is the first Miss Universe to work with the Harvard AIDS Institute.

The government of Botswana and DeBeers gave Miss Universe her own children's village. The Mpule Kwelagobe Children's Village houses 400 children affected by and infected with HIV.

In recognition of her work to promote the health and well being of the women and children of Botswana, Mpule was appointed UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.

Mpule is unequivocal about AIDS and what should be done about it. She says, "We can take definite steps to fight this disease. We can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand."

In 1999, with private investment, Mpule established a foundation dedicated to combating AIDS. Her foundation supports local organizations like the Gabane Home-Based Care Project, which provides AIDS victims living in this small community with food, basic medical care, companionship and compassion. Mpule believes that education is the key to stopping the spread of AIDS. To that end, Mpule has addressed numerous youth groups, NGOs and policy makers in her home country, Botswana, as well as in donor countries such as the United States and those in Western Europe.

Activities

27 January 2003. World Economic Forum Selects UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador as a Global Leader for Tomorrow

19 November 2001. UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Wins Jonathan Mann Award for AIDS Work

20 August 2001. World’s Youth Resolve to Lead Anti-HIV/AIDS Crusade, Promote Responsibility

22 May 2001. Least Developed States Demand Strongest Measures Against HIV/AIDS
Mpule addressed delegates to the Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries held in Brussels about how AIDS is devastating the economy of Botswana.

22 April 2001 Botswana Struggles to Overcome the Worst AIDS Rate in the World

March 2001. For Elizabeth: Mpule Kwelagobe Promotes Responsible Behaviour, Donors' Support, in Fight Against HIV/AIDS

November 2000. Mpule launched a campaign for HIV/AIDS prevention in Botswana. Former South African President Nelson Mandela accepted an invitation by Mpule to attend a fundraising dinner in the capital Gaborone. Proceeds from the dinner went to the “Keep Hope Alive” campaign and the Mpule Kwelagobe Trust Fund, which sponsors HIV/AIDS projects in Botswana.

April 2000. Mpule testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Financial Services on the global AIDS crisis and pandemic in Africa and a proposed bill to set up a World Bank AIDS prevention trust fund. Ms. Kwelagobe spoke about the work being done in her country in fighting AIDS. She outlined the scale of the problem and the cultural and social barriers to effectively combating it. She also told the members of Congress of the efforts working in her country and some of the initiatives she, and other young people like her, have been involved in.

8 February 2000. Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe, Appointed UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Botswana

Priorities

HIV/AIDS, youth empowerment