Inspired by Bill Gates Sr.
In past years, to honour his birthday, the Gates Foundation has invited alumni to share a note about Bill Gates Sr. This is a version of a message I wrote in 2016, sharing now in his memory.
This iconic photo of three grandfathers with babies born free from HIV was taken at the Zola Clinic in South Africa in March 2002. At that time, the stigma surrounding HIV was intense — we weren’t even sure until the last minute, whether the mothers would arrive with their babies.
Coordinating a three-country trip with Bill Gates Sr and former President Jimmy Carter, we started in South Africa — a country deeply affected by the epidemic. It was a learning trip to bring attention to the AIDS crisis, which was devastating communities in sub-Saharan Africa. It was also an opportunity to share in the hope — that with access to antiretroviral medicines, pregnant women living with HIV could give birth to babies free from the virus.
When Bill Sr. walked into the clinic with the former presidents, the room erupted, and it wasn’t long before the babies were scooped up and cradled in the arms of the three grandfathers.
My heart melted. Everyone’s hearts melted.
The memory of that visit inspired me to work on ending the AIDS epidemic. And to help ensure all babies are born free from HIV.
I went back to the Zola Clinic in 2015 and saw a tremendous change. By then, South Africa had seen an incredible 42% reduction in new HIV infections among children. Today, there is a strong commitment to get that number to zero and virtually eliminate transmission from mother to child.
The Soweto clinic was not the first time that I had seen Bill Sr. with a baby in his arms and children gathered around. We had travelled together to Mozambique in 2001 for the first delivery of Gavi vaccines for childhood immunizations.
It was late afternoon in Maputo — we were running late, and honestly a bit ragged in the heat. Bill Sr was upset. He turned to me and said, “I should have picked up that last baby.”
After multiple community site visits with the visionary Graça Machel and meetings with families, cabinet ministers and with then President, Joaquim Chissano — it was one small baby that weighed heavily on his mind.
That really brought home to me the truth that all lives have equal value, that it’s as important to connect with the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, as it is to engage with world leaders.
Coincidentally, it was on that visit to Mozambique that I met my future husband Blaise Judja-Sato. He had travelled from Seattle for VillageReach, his new vaccine delivery venture — so really Bill Sr. is responsible for two major moments that have shaped my life. I am profoundly grateful.
We will miss you very much. Your humanity will always inspire us.
