Written by Jubilee USA Network   

Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, apartheid activist and champion for debt relief and HIV/AIDS victims died today at the age of 95.

Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of antipoverty organization Jubilee USA, releases the following statement on the death of former South African President, Nelson Mandela:

"We're mourning the loss of this champion of debt relief for the world's poorest countries. Because Mandela advocated for debt relief, 52 million kids have gone or are going to school in Africa.

"Mandela's courageous stand against AIDS helped me believe that the dream of an AIDS free generation can become a reality."

Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 75 US organizations, 300 faith communities and 50 Jubilee global partners. Jubilee's mission is to build an economy that serves, protects and promotes participation of the most vulnerable. Jubilee USA has won critical global financial reforms and more than $130 billion in debt relief to benefit the world's poorest people. www.jubileeusa.org