“Max and his people have changed the lives—saved the lives—of so many people. Anybody here who’s in a position to support the Harvard AIDS Initiative, I can think of no greater cause, no worthier cause, than that.”

Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author of The Ladies No.1 Detective Agency Series, at a benefit reading for HAI at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge.

Watch below a slide show of McCall Smith’s visit:

McCall Smith (standing) had lunch with HAI researchers, students and supporters.

During lunch, McCall Smith talked with HSPH doctoral student Kelesitse Phiri. Kele is from Mochudi, Botswana, also the hometown of Precious Ramotswe, protagonist of McCall Smith’s beloved series, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”.

Max Essex, Chair of HAI, with McCall Smith. The two met in Botswana years ago and became friends. McCall Smith dedicated the previous No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book to Essex for his work on HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

George Seage, Thelma Zelen, Alexander McCall Smith, Tianxi Cai

Chris Rowley and Elizabeth Russell

Max Essex introduced McCall Smith at an evening reading at the Brattle Theatre to support HAI.

Not every man can pull off a kilt, but McCall Smith, who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, did so with panache. To a packed house, he read from “The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection”, the 13th book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

The reading was co-sponsored by the Harvard Bookstore

After the reading, Mitchell Dong and Robin LaFoley Dong, both HAI International Advisory Council members, graciously hosted a dinner at their Cambridge home.

Amy Wu, a recent Harvard graduate, spoke briefly about her semester abroad conducting research at the Botswana Harvard Partnership (BHP).

Mitchell Dong and HSPH grad student Anusha Vable

Alexander McCall Smith thanked the dinner hosts and guests and praised the work of the Harvard AIDS Initiative in Botswana and southern Africa.