The First Lady Laura Bush is now on a week-long tour in Africa, visiting HIV/AIDS prevention projects sponsored by the US government in various nations across the continent. She strongly called for attention to the battle against HIV/AIDS in Africa. She also expressed appreciation for the increasingly positive attitude of Africans towards the prevention of the devastating disease.

The US government has long been a devoted sponsor for HIV/AIDS prevention and education programme worldwide. According to Lady Laura Bush, the US administration has realised poverty is a major driver of the pandemic in Africa. Therefore, the US President George Bush pledged approximately US$55 million for women's empowerment in Africa.

"It has been proven that women who are financially independent and have access to information have a better chance of fighting HIV and AIDS. On the other hand, those who are illiterate and poor are the most vulnerable," Lady Laura Bush said.

On Tuesday, Lady Laura Bush met a roomful of HIV-positive South African mothers in the Khayelitsha area near Cape Town, South Africa. They are from the Mothers' Programmes, a private organisation that receives some assistance through President Bush's five-year, $15 billion anti-AIDS effort.

The organisation enlists mothers who have successfully managed to prevent transmitting the infection to their own children, to help and mentor other pregnant women.

Lady Laura Bush also held a discussion with South Africans involved in the fight against domestic violence, where she suggested the President Bush’s proposal to enhance legal protections for African women victimised by violence and sexual abuse.

Lady Laura Bush travelled to Tanzania in East Africa after South Africa. There she visited one of 16 schools set up with the help of U.S. donations and additional grants. The project is part of America's effort to increase the community's access to education.

She said the president was a strong supporter of faith-based groups that bring help and healing to people in need.

"We appreciate the work of people who are affiliated with churches or mosques and other faith groups. When our government can work together with faith-based organisations, we will."

Lady Laura Bush also met with President Benjamin Mkapa at the Presidential Residence in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

On Friday, Lady Laura Bush is expected to finish her tour after visiting Rwanda, then she will head back to Washington.