September 15th, 2008 Suzanne Africa Engo, the founder of the New York AIDS Film Festival (NYAFF) and ranked as one of the TOP 40 Most Influential Youth AIDS Activists Globally by MTV and The Kaiser Family Foundation, will launch the Africa 101  Project with an 858 mile run.  Beginning at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where Africa Engo first spoke as a junior ambassador for Cameroon, she will continue to HARPO Studios in Chicago.  

In an effort to raise awareness of AIDS activism, Africa Engo has lost 94 pounds in 6 months in preparation for her solo marathon.  She plans to complete the final leg of her run prior to World AIDS Day--recognized each year on December 1st.  Her project will be documented and presented at the opening of the New York AIDS Film Festival December 4th.

AIDS is caused by the spread of HIV infection, and has killed more than 25 million people, approximately 2 million of them in 2007.  It is estimated that 33 million are living with HIV.  Many do not have access to recently improved antiretroviral treatment and care. The worst hit region is Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 67% of the world's HIV cases. World AIDS Day is a World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention initiative, first begun in 1988.

Suzanne Africa Engo is the co-founder of African Action on AIDS and founder of NYAFF. She is the daughter of International Court Judge and former UN Ambassador His excellency Judge Paul Bamela Engo who is also a former Olympic athlete.  Her mother, Excellency Dr. Ruth Bamela Engo, is the President of African Action on AIDS and formerly of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to the Secretary General of the United Nations (OSAA).

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