African Queen

Over the years Africa liner specialist OTAL has helped a number of charitable projects in West Africa and shipped many cargoes on a free or concessionary basis. As part of its efforts it is now helping to spread the word about a Patti Boulaye concert in London's Albert Hall on April 12 to assist the Support For Africa charity to build and run clinics in sub-Saharan countries.

The exquisitely healthy looking Patti wants to build a network of clinics to provide primary healthcare, counselling, dietary advice and information on the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and malaria. A whole host of sponsorship opportunities are available for companies wishing to back this aim and be associated with it.

It is estimated that 6,000 people die each day in Africa, and some 75% of people in the world with HIV/AIDS live there. Too few people in Africa are aware that 95% of HIV/AIDS infections result from heterosexual transmission. OTAL has already been involved in the initiatives to combat the disease, transporting 8,000 cases of condoms from India to the Central African Republic as part of a UN aid effort.

It shipped the consignment from Cochin to Doulala and then trucked it 1,437 km inland to the capital Bangul.