We believe that by supporting each other in whatever we do we can overcome any obstacle.  Today, Anglo American has the largest free HIV/AIDS employee treatment programme in the world, and because this disease is one that can affect the whole family, we also provide free HIV/AIDS treatment to all our employees’ dependants. We believe that everyone has a right to work with dignity and respect.

Silvia Almeida has been working for Anglo American since 1986. In 1994, she was diagnosed as HIV positive, and since that day has worked with strength and determination to help raise awareness of the disease, educating not only her fellow Anglo American employees but also people in the local communities surrounding our mines; from farmers to truck drivers.

In Brazil, Silvia personifies Anglo American’s approach. Acting as our spokesperson, together we partner institutions such as CEAIDS and GIV. In October 2008, Silvia worked with GIV to serialise 48 2-minute podcasts entitled ‘Second Person’, discussing how she has coped with the changes in her life since contracting the virus.

From producing an Anglo American comic book (‘The Health Squad’) at the 2010 carnival, to launching a campaign to encourage HIV testing through ‘Fique Sabendo’, we are striving to work with as many federal and local government organisations, charities and NGOs as we can to help fight ignorance of the disease.

At Anglo American, we make our employees’ struggles our own struggles. HIV/AIDS is personal to us all. And thanks to Silvia, we are proud to say that Brazil is leading by her example.