A TRIBUTE TO DAVID

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Download PDF My professional relationship with David Garmaise dates back more than ten years. I first met him while I was serving on Aidspan’s Board of Directors. But it was only years later, when I started my tenure as Aidspan’s Executive Director, that I got the opportunity to work closely with him. His knowledge enabled him to mentor all of …

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ABSTRACT Aidspan's Executive Director Ida Hakizinka reflects on ten years since meeting David Garmaise.

My professional relationship with David Garmaise dates back more than ten years. I first met him while I was serving on Aidspan’s Board of Directors. But it was only years later, when I started my tenure as Aidspan’s Executive Director, that I got the opportunity to work closely with him. His knowledge enabled him to mentor all of  us – correspondants, colleagues. He did it usually with kindness, and toughness, pushing you to think and analyse  further what you had initially thought was an easy analysis or question to answer.

I was instantly awed by David’s profound knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and the Global Fund, much of which he shared through the thousand-plus articles he authored for the Global Fund Observer. He was capable of analysing a thousand pages and coming back with a summary that allowed everyone an easy understanding of HIV/AIDS and Global Fund jargon in simple words. His dedication to the Global Fund Observer was admirable and his insights always razor-sharp.

David was one of those people of whom it can indeed be said that he made the world a better place through his work. Many people ­– whether Global Fund employees, implementers, auditors or other partners – within the Global Fund fraternity have benefitted from his timely and relevant information and guidance.

Indeed, David’s passing is a huge loss to the Aidspan team and the entire Global Fund community. But his contribution will not be forgotten!

Goodbye, David, and thank you.