What is your position in Veolia?

I am a work doctor and head of the Health Division of the Société d'Energie et d'Eau du Gabon (SEEG), a subsidiary of Veolia Eau.

In what circumstances did you discover the association that you are sponsoring today?

The Association Sida Zéro accompanies us in the implementation of our HIV/AIDS action plan. So it is in this setting that we were contacted by Mrs Perpétue NDONG, President of Sida Zéro, requesting support in this project, whose objectives merged with our own. In fact, our program, we have provided for an external aspect targeted at the general population. By this act, we want to assert the civic nature of our enterprise. Yet the cost of the project made it impossible to respond favorably to this funding request.

What made you think about the Veolia Foundation?

I knew a little about the Foundation, but I had never been a sponsor previously. It was Dr Bruno de Buzonnière, Health Director of Veolia Environnement, who advised me to submit the project to the Veolia Foundation.

What are the first visible effects, or preliminary results of your sponsoring?

The Centre d'Appui et d'Accompagnement (C2A) was officially inaugurated in December 2006. Activities began timidly and we expect to reach cruising speed at the end of the first year. However, the center already accommodates several persons living with HIV and conducts early detection.

How has your commitment materialized?

"The "Guide for sponsors" gives details on the level of commitment of the sponsor. It is obvious that very quickly, my commitment went much deeper. From "project sponsor", I turned myself into a "project leader". I felt I was instilled with a responsibility that went far beyond "mere" sponsoring. I want to remind everyone that many grants were needed for this project. I thus assisted Sida Zéro in processing these financing applications with other structures. Today, I have decided to intensify my involvement and to become a member of Sida Zéro".

Why do you engage in sponsoring? What does it offer you?

That's a difficult question. Whenever I have the opportunity to do something for the most vulnerable people, I simply don't ask any questions...

I have to admit that for myself, it has been a magnificent experience to make myself useful professionally and extremely gratifying personally.