YWAM’S RESPONSE TO HIV & AIDS
by Kate Muammar
This article is meant to provide material you can use to
teach your staff. Learning activities
are provided after each section for interaction and practical application
(marked with ð). The
learning activities are vital to teaching this material because they will help
staff work through critical issues. Select the most appropriate learning
activities for your setting. It is
our prayer that this material will provide ideas for training your staff and
also bear fruit in your ministry
HIV AND AIDS FACTS & FIGURES....................... 1
WHAT IS YWAM’S RESPONSE?....................... 2
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN HIV/AIDS....................... 2
WHAT IS YWAM’S RESPONSE WHERE YOU ARE?....................... 3
LETS TALK ABOUT SEX....................... 5
BEING A FRIEND....................... 7
DO WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE A VOICE?....................... 8
APPENDIX: BASIC FACTS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS....................... 9
REFERENCES......................... 11
INTRODUCTION
If I were to say to you, “What is YWAM’s response to HIV and AIDS?” what would you say? Would you tell me about the programmes that we are running at some of our bases? Would you also mention our schools that teach about AIDS? Does HIV/AIDS affect YWAM as a whole? Is there a need for us all to get involved? If so, what do you think our response as a mission should be?
I believe this is an important question to look at in this E-Zine. For a start, I believe that HIV/AIDS is everybody’s business because, whether it is our focus or not, this is something that affects us all.
It is important to remember that, “our identity and calling as YWAM is to be an apostolic and prophetic mobile wing of the Church…” (AfriCom 2006, 5). How is God speaking to us and through us in the midst of such a world crisis? My prayer is that we will seek God and hear how He has called YWAM as a mission to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
HIV AND AIDS FACTS & FIGURES
What is HIV? What is
AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a germ which attacks the body's immune system making it harder to fight infections
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is caused by HIV infection and occurs when a person's immune system becomes so damaged that they are susceptible to illness. People don't die of AIDS; they die of diseases such as TB (tuberculosis) or pneumonia that develop because AIDS has destroyed the immune system. Consider these facts:
· There are 40.3 million people in the world today with HIV - that's more than double the number in 1995. (UNAIDS, 2005)
· Only 1 out of every 10 people living with HIV has been tested and actually know that they're positive.(UNAIDS, 2005)
· Every day more than 6,000 children are orphaned by AIDS. A third of these children are under five years of age (UNAIDS, 2005)
· More than 500,000 children (aged under 15) were among the AIDS-related deaths in 2005, and 700,000 children were newly infected with the virus (UNAIDS, 2005)
· AIDS has killed twenty-five million people since it first emerged in the early 1980s—more deaths than occurred in World Wars I and II (www.globalaidsalliance.org/cd_FAQs.cfm#
WhatisGAA)
· Every minute five people die of AIDS (www.stopglobalaids.org/facts/about.html)
· Every day 8,000 people die from AIDS (www.aidsalliance.org/sw1280. asp)
· Former Secretary of State Colin Powell called HIV/AIDS the most serious threat to humankind and “the greatest weapon of mass destruction on earth.” (www.globalaidsalliance.org/cd_FAQs.cfm#WhatisGAA)
ð
In
groups of three discuss which of the above facts was the most shocking and
why. Discuss which of the facts has the
most significant impact on your team in your location and why.
More than 20 million people have died from HIV/AIDS since it started over 20 years ago, and it remains the world’s most serious public health threat. There were nearly 5 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2005, and 3.2 million of these were in sub-Saharan Africa. Southern Africa has the highest prevalence rates in the world as over 30% of women attending antenatal clinics in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland were found to be HIV positive (UNAIDS, 2005).
Many of us are aware that HIV affects not only the country where we live, but has also touched our lives personally - affecting either ourselves, our family members, or our friends. The whole YWAM family is impacted by AIDS and we need to respond on an international as well as a local level.
What Is YWAM’S Response?
International Involvement
in HIV/AIDS
1. YWAM HIV/AIDS
Global Mandate
In January 2006, about 20 YWAM staff from
all over the world, met for a consultation at Harpenden, UK, to form a HIV/AIDS
working group for the mission. The consultation was led by Steve Goode,
Director of Mercy Ministries International.
The group discussed the impact of HIV/AIDS on
YWAM, our involvement in HIV/AIDS world-wide, opportunities to respond further
and the challenges we face. We believe that YWAM has a key contribution to make
towards AIDS prevention and alleviation worldwide. The following mandate was
presented to the Global Leadership Team in August 2006 with the hope that this
will be adopted by the whole mission.
YWAM HIV/ AIDS GLOBAL MANDATE
20
January 2006
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow
to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all and he has compassion
on all he has made (Ps 145:8-9)."
Our God is full of mercy and compassion to all, including those who
are living with HIV/AIDS. God has a message of hope, worth and dignity for all
infected or affected by the disease. As a movement committed to following Jesus
and His example, Youth With A Mission is called to love, accept and care for,
without discrimination, all impacted by HIV/AIDS among our staff, and those we
work with. We as YWAM acknowledge our responsibility and commit to serve and
engage holistically with the HIV/AIDS Pandemic in every country and in each
area of culture and society until there is no longer need.
ð Read
this mandate as a team, school or those you work with. How can we practically
and creatively affirm this covenant? Discus the responses.
2. YWAM
International HIV/AIDS Conference Uganda 2007
YWAM is planning a Global HIV/AIDS conference in Jinja, Uganda 27 May – 1 June 2007. We would like to have key base and school leaders in Africa and Asia attend this conference (along with those already involved in HIV/AIDS) and we will need the help of key operating locations to make that a reality. We believe that God is saying something to us in YWAM through evangelism, training and mercy ministries regarding HIV/AIDS.
3. YWAM HIV/AIDS
E-mail Forum
There is an opportunity for any YWAMer to
join the YWAM HIV/AIDS email forum in order to receive regular information
about HIV, and also send the working group your comments.
If you would like to be involved in the YWAM HIV/AIDS Electronic forum set up
by the YWAM HIV/AIDS working group, please contact Stephen Goode: gstephengoode@yahoo.com and you will be sent an
invitation.
4. YWAM’s
Involvement Needs an Integrated Response
The working group discussed how HIV/AIDS
touches every aspect of YWAM’s ministry. HIV/AIDS involvement is not only for
those called to Mercy Ministry. This crisis has opened up so many opportunities
for YWAM to minister the love of Christ to the lost and also bring a message of
hope where the world has no solution to offer.
ð In
small groups brainstorm ways that YWAM could incorporate a response to HIV/AIDS
into your current activities, e.g.:
·
DTS and U of N schools
·
Evangelism and Frontier Mission
·
Kings Kids and youth ministries
·
Mercy Ministries
·
Prayer and intercession
·
Arts, music and media
·
Other YWAM activities
What is YWAM’S
Response Where You Are?
Niwaely John Sandy is an example of a YWAMer who God challenged to get involved in HIV/AIDS at her base. She is a Tanzanian who did her DTS in 1995 in Dar-es-salaam. During her DTS God called her to work with people who are hurting. In 2000 she went to Jinja, Uganda to do a Community Counseling School (CCS). Niwaely tells her story:
During the CCS many speakers came and taught about the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS problem in Africa. They taught about the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and it was through their teaching that I came to realize that I was a part of the stigma. I was one among the many Christians in Tanzania who thought people infected with HIV were receiving their just punishment for what they have done. I repented of this way of thinking.
For my CCS outreach I went to Rwanda and worked with people who were HIV infected or who had AIDS. However, two weeks into my outreach I got a message from home calling me to the burial of my older sister who had died with AIDS. After the burial I went to Uganda to finish my outreach working with the Kangulumira Project. After my outreach I continued on with the project for an additional six months. This project works with local villagers who are infected with HIV. It was there that I learned first hand what a serious problem HIV/AIDS is and how people are suffering and dying with it. I also realized during this school that God was calling me to work with HIV infected people and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS especially in the church.
When I returned to Tanzania I shared my burden to work with HIV/AIDS with my base leader. It wasn't long after this that I and Mark Sherrill (trained in Primary Health Care) formed a health care department. We began by teaching about HIV/AIDS to the base staff and also in all our schools which were running at the base. We taught them about the importance of being tested for HIV/AIDS and what to expect when you go to be tested. This has helped and is continuing to help reduce the stigma of testing not only at the base but also through the community as the YWAMers share their experiences. Staff no longer face a stigma if they go to be tested for HIV.
We went to a neighboring village called Lukobe and met with the villager elders. After some discussion, they invited us to open a village health care class. Through this class we have had many opportunities to teach and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. We have taught mothers in the government mother/child immunization health clinic. We were also invited and taught about HIV/AIDS in the Indian Community mosque here in Morogoro.
In April, 2005 we ran a two day seminar at our YWAM base for pastors. Our desire was to get our local pastors together and talking about HIV/AIDS. Pastors from nine different churches attended. This seminar helped to raise awareness in the church and helped the pastors to consider how and to what extent the church should be involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
We have had some successes, and God has definitely opened many doors of opportunity for us. However, the challenges which we are facing while working in the area of HIV/AIDS are many. One is that it takes quite a long time for people to open up, especially if they suspect that they could be infected.
Many people and even sometimes the church still struggle to accept people who are infected. Many times this happens because they are uninformed or afraid that by helping infected persons they themselves could become infected. Then there is still the persistent belief that people who are infected are simply reaping what they have sown.
I want to challenge Youth With A Mission, the church and all other Christian organizations, especially those in Africa to rise up and ask God how they can help with this serious problem of HIV/AIDS. All the YWAM bases in Africa should consider how they could be involved in stopping the spread of this growing problem. I believe that YWAM, Christian organizations, churches, as well as every individual Christian should be involved in the fight. The truth as I see it is this. Every individual alive, unless the Lord returns, has a divine appointment with death. It just so happens that those infected with HIV/AIDS may arrive at their appointment sooner than expected. And even worse, it is possible that they have never heard the gospel.
We are seeing many infected people throughout East Africa running to the church and even to the mission where they believe there is divine help. If we remain quiet because we think we are safe in doing so; or if we fail to face this issue because we feel unprepared, we will be among those who regret our inaction or lack of preparation in the future. We Christians are God's chosen vessels to bring hope to these people because we have a future. We know where we are going after death. Let us each seek God and ask Him how we can help.
We should start with the people who are right around us. There are many orphans in Africa, single parent families, as well as hosts of other problems. Who better to help find answers to help these children and parents looking for help, than the Body of Christ? Through Jesus we have access to the God of all resources, strategy, knowledge and understanding. Reach out - adopt a child, repair a widow's roof, or help plant a farm for a family touched by AIDS. Any of these would be great door openers for sharing the gospel with a needy generation which is losing hope.
ð In
small groups discuss “Do you think that stigma towards people with HIV/AIDS
exists in our base?” If so, what can
you do to address this stigma?
ð As
a leadership team discuss whether or not you as a base have talked with staff
about HIV testing. What would be the
hindrances to open discussion? What
would be the benefits of open discussion? [K1]How
should we support staff who test HIV positive?
ð In
small staff groups discuss the advantages and disadvantages of going for the
HIV test? Write discussion points on a board in two columns.
ð In
small groups discuss specific ways the local community is affected by HIV/AIDS?
Draw out those who are directly involved in the community. Try to look at all levels of society.
ð In
the large group have a brainstorming session in which you discuss practical
ways you as YWAMers can we help stop the spread of HIV in your local
community? Anyone can shout out an idea
that a recorder writes down without any evaluative comments.
ð In
small groups write out creative ways YWAMers can show love to people and
families affected by HIV/AIDS in your local community? Report in the large group.
ð Ask
several leaders[K2]
to report ways your local churches are involved with HIV/AIDS or helping those
affected such as orphans and widows? In small groups discuss specific ways YWAM
can strengthen the local church to respond.
ð Ask
two people to take notes throughout discussion time and write up a report to be
given to all leaders to consider for planning and prayer purposes[K3].
Let’s Talk about Sex
In the early 1980s, AIDS was first discovered in Uganda. By 1993 an estimated 1.5 million Ugandans (about 15% of the adult population) were living with HIV. Initially the people in Uganda denied the reality of AIDS, and stigmatized those believed to have the disease. But the Ugandan leaders were open about the problem and as time went on people’s attitudes changed and there was more acceptance towards those living with HIV/AIDS. In the mid-1990s, HIV rates were beginning to decrease in Kampala and some other urban areas. Young people were changing their sexual behaviour and the rate of new HIV infections started to decline in many parts of the country. Researchers in Uganda believe that this was due to changes in attitudes and sexual behaviour. (Kaleeba et. al 2003.)
The Ugandan government, organizations, and churches have worked hard to put across the ABC message: Abstinence, Be faithful to one partner, Consistently & correctly use condoms. This approach to prevention gives a good guideline, but when you start to look deeper you soon realize the issues are not as simple as ABC. HIV and AIDS are linked with deep and complex issues in society.
Chris Child, national co-coordinator for YWAM Malawi, says:
It is great that YWAM wants to give a bigger thrust in dealing with the HIV crisis, but it is important that we do not tackle HIV as a need or problem to be solved (of course there is an element of that). But rather it is a symptom and a signpost pointing us to much deeper foundational problems. I think that this needs to be clearly explained and grasped otherwise we will waste a lot of time, money and energy and end up frustrated. I think we need to be focusíng not simply on preventing HIV/AIDS (though we need to sensitize YWAMers) but on preventing the underlying problems that have led to the HIV crisis. This means in practical terms a focus on pre-marital counseling for those preparing for marriage, major thrust on “Why Wait?” (abstinence teaching) amongst church youth and primary schools, informal and highly interactive training on marriage for our YWAM staff and singles and then into the churches. Family ministries are a priority. Recent evidence shows that the HIV crisis is deepening and even increasing amongst children in Africa (sexual abuse is rarely spoken about and yet is a huge problem). YWAM needs to be following its anointing and tackle this HIV/AIDS crisis in a radically different way to what many other agencies are doing. (personal e-mail 23.2.2006)
The Church does not like to talk about issues to do with sex, but we cannot hide the fact that Christians also fall into sexual temptation. Sexual sin is even having an affect on the ministry of YWAM. In a recent letter from the International Chairman of YWAM, Lynn Green, we were told about the Global Leadership Team meetings of 2005. YWAM was given a sober word from Dr Atef, a Coptic priest, intercessor and YWAMer. He suggested that, like Samson, we have become compromised and have lost some of our strength and authority. One of the causes of this loss of authority is unclean relationships between young people. (AfriCom 2006, 3).
Dean Sherman exposed
Satan’s destructive strategies,
What is the biggest hoax of all time? It is when the devil comes to us
and says, “I’m the sex expert. If you get too goody goody, too holy and pure,
you’re going to miss some exciting thrills and chills when it comes to sex.”
And when he whispers this to us, all too often we fall for it… How can I be
sure the devil is lying? Satan is an angel, and angels are not sexual beings.
Satan does not have sexual experience or sexual ability. Jesus said, “The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that you may have life,
and have it to the full” John 10:10.
Every time we make a choice to follow God’s way in sexual relationships,
we make Satan angry. Satan has failed in his mission once again. The devil has
never desired sexual fulfilment for anyone, his only invention is to bind and
destroy us (Sherman 1999, 35-36).
God invented sex as a wonderful gift
to be enjoyed in marriage. Throughout the Scripture you will find references
about sex. Sex is not just a physical act – it is the joining of mind, soul,
emotions and spirits of two people. Sex is a powerful celebration of love and
friendship between a man and woman committed together for life (Genesis 2:24).
God intended for a man and a woman to marry, and in the context of commitment,
care, love and understanding, to explore together the pleasures of physical
love. Out of that beautiful, loving relationship were to come children who
would grow up feeling loved and secure. (Dixon 2004, 161)
Divide into single sex groups and discuss:
ð From
your perspective, what are some of the reasons that today’s young people find
it difficult to avoid sex outside of marriage?
Record reasons and then try to put them in order of the most common to
least common reasons that youth would give.
ð From
your perspective, why is it difficult in today’s society for a man and wife to
be faithful to one another? Try to list
the factors that contribute to the difficulty of remaining faithful.
ð First,
in pairs discuss practical tips to give a man and a lady who are in a
relationship to help them to avoid falling into sin? Ask all pairs to write their tips on a large paper. Ask one or two people to present the
practical tips and then open for further discussion.
ð Discuss
practical ways we can support one another in YWAM when we are faced with sexual
temptation? Ask individuals to share the kind of support that would be helpful
to them personally.
ð Give
time for personal reflection – does each person have ONE person that they can
share openly with about temptations in this area?
ð The
Bible is full of stories about sex, sexual imagery and sexual standards.
Discuss in what specific ways you can encourage the Church to teach about sex?
BEING A FRIEND
Ask yourself “How would Jesus want us to respond to the HIV/AIDS situation?” We can learn so much from Jesus’ example and his teaching. Some people believe that AIDS is punishment for immoral behaviour. See how Jesus responded when the religious leaders brought before him a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). People with AIDS are like the lepers of today – and yet Jesus touched the leper demonstrating love and acceptance towards the stigmatized (Matthew 8:1-4). Jesus teaches us that showing mercy to our neighbour is part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-37). A Christian response to AIDS means expressing unconditional love to all in need regardless of how they come to be so. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8
People living with HIV/AIDS may be very sensitive to the reactions of other people and are often fearful that they will be rejected. Someone who is living with HIV may feel anger, suicidal, denial, sadness, despair, depression, isolated or lonely. There may be deep wounds from the past, and feelings of worthlessness. Guilt over unintentional passing of infection on to others, guilt over surviving when so many others have already died, and guilt about lifestyles may all be present. Fear of the process of dying is often far greater than the fear of death itself.
Not all of us are called to be counselors
but we can still be a friend to someone who is HIV positive or who has AIDS.
One of the worst symptoms a person with HIV/AIDS can suffer is loneliness or
rejection. Being a friend to someone does not mean you have to try to solve
their problems. Being a friend to a person who is living with HIV means being
sensitive to where the person is at today, helping the person understand that
in the midst of great uncertainties about the future, your own constant support
and friendship is not in doubt, just as God's faithfulness and love is not in
doubt. (Dixon. 2006)
Being a counseling friend is:
…..being willing to offer time and opportunity to the person so that they can talk
…..listening to a person’s concerns without judgment or always giving advice
…..helping the person to gain a better understanding of the problem they are experiencing, and find a new way of living
…..not necessarily telling the person what to do or make decisions for them
People do not need us to be sorry for them. They require us to stand with them and listen as they try to reveal what is deep within them. The person affected by HIV/AIDS requires respect and acceptance, trust and genuine compassion. (Igo, 34)
ð Divide
into pairs for role plays. Let one person be the listening friend, and the
other a person who is worried about HIV. Practice listening, and asking
questions. After 5 minutes, reverse the
roles.
ð Discus
how you felt being in the role of the listening friend. As the person worried
about HIV did you feel understood?
ð Following
the role play invite comments from the group.
What things were said or done by the listeners that were very helpful?
DO WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE A VOICE?
The answer is YES! We have a voice and also opportunities to campaign governments on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. For example YWAM can get involved in WORLD AIDS DAY which takes place each year on 1 December. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.
Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
People have a right to hold governments and policy makers to account for whether enough progress is being made towards longer-term targets. You can find more information about the promises made at: www.worldaidscampaign.org or www.e-alliance.ch.
ð As a leadership team discuss the possibility of joining in the World
AIDS Day event close to you or even organize your own. For more details or
ideas see the webpage about World AIDS Day: www.worldaidsday.org or
www.avert.org/worldaid.htm
APPENDIX: BASIC FACTS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS
Only the very basic information has been included in this E-Zine, but each base should get hold of a book or manual for more information so that all YWAM staff members can learn the facts about HIV and AIDS.
What is HIV and AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a sickness, which eventually develops in people infected with a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV.
HIV behaves like termites in a wooden house. At first the viruses hide inside the body and multiply. Nobody realizes that anything is wrong, and the person looks and feels fine. At this point the person is living with HIV, but they do not have AIDS.
It takes a very long time for termites to eat through the wood in the house and make it so weak that it cannot withstand wind and rain. Someone can live with HIV infection for a number of years before the immune system becomes so weak that it cannot fight off other illnesses.
The person then starts to get sicknesses such as swollen glands, weight loss, frequent fever, diarrhoea, cough and skin problems. As time goes on, the person gets serious illnesses in the lungs, brain or gut. They now have AIDS. At present, people with AIDS eventually die. However, many people with HIV live for many years before they get sick and die.
How is HIV Spread and How Do We Prevent
It?
HIV is only found in large enough amounts to infect another person in four body liquids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV is not found in the air. It dies quickly when dried, heated or in contact with bleach or acid. Saliva, tears and sweat do not contain enough HIV to infect another person.
The HIV in blood, semen or vaginal fluid has to get inside the body of another person and into their bloodstream. This can only happen in the following ways:
Through Sex
In many African and other countries, over 80%
(8 out of every 10) HIV infections happen during vaginal or anal sex between
men and women. It can also be spread between two men having anal sex. The risk
of sexual transmission can be reduced by the correct and consistent use of a
condom, but they are not 100% safe. The only safe way to avoid sexual
transmission is through abstinence or being faithful to one partner for life
(where both partners have tested HIV negative).
From Mother to Baby
HIV from an infected mother can enter a baby in the womb, during delivery, or during breastfeeding. About one in three babies of HIV positive mothers get HIV. These children usually develop AIDS and die within a few years. Medicines are now available that reduce the risk of mothers passing HIV to their babies in the womb or during delivery.
About one in ten babies of mothers with HIV become infected through breast-feeding. It is recommended that, unless the mother can afford baby milk powder and has access to clean water, HIV positive mothers breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and then quickly wean the child completely to food.
Through Blood
If blood is taken from a person with HIV and transfused (put) into another person, that person will also get HIV. In many hospitals blood is tested for HIV and thrown away if it is infected. One way to get HIV free blood is to ask relatives at low risk of having HIV to donate blood. How can we avoid the need for blood transfusions? For example, anaemia can be avoided by eating foods rich in iron (especially important in places where malaria is common). Also you can avoid blood transfusions by getting treatment early when sick. (Smart, 2006). Avoid being in contact with another person’s blood by covering wounds or cuts with a waterproof dressing. If you are cleaning up blood or blood stained sheets/cloths etc, always wear surgical gloves or cover hands with plastic bags.
Through Unsterilised Equipment
HIV can pass from one person to another on needles or razors that are not sterilised each time they are used. People who inject drugs often get HIV for this reason. Health workers should always use sterile equipment. Never share needles, syringes, razor blades or any skin cutting/piercing instruments.
How HIV is NOT Spread?
HIV is only found in blood, semen and vaginal fluid and has to get inside the body and blood of another person to spread. This is why HIV does not spread through kissing, hugging, holding hands, sharing toilets, going to school together, sharing clothes, food or drink, sneezing and coughing or mosquitoes. It is perfectly safe to laugh, eat, go to school and work with people with HIV and AIDS.
A person living with HIV can remain strong for many years. Here are some tips for healthy living:
· Take care of medical problems early
· Eat nutritious food to keep the body strong
· Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
· Try to get enough rest and exercise
· Prevent infection by washing often
· Spend time with friends and family
· Try to keep active by doing daily work
· Spend time praying, reading God’s word and fellowship with other Christians
What are some of the signs or symptoms
of AIDS?
Major signs may include
· fever for more than one month,
· weight loss (10% of body weight)
· diarrhoea for more than 1 month.
Other signs may include
· Tuberculosis
· mouth and throat infections
· skin rashes
· cough
· blister rash on mouth or private parts, or on side of the body (Herpes and Shingles)
· lumps in neck, armpits and groin (swollen lymph glands)
· cancers
· nerve and brain damage
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for HIV and AIDS but antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) slow down the development of AIDS. People usually take three or four different ARVs (or combined therapy pills) each day for the rest of their lives to stay well. Most HIV positive people, with the help of drugs, good nutrition and a positive attitude, can live full and healthy lives.
REFERENCES
AfriCom.
2006. 30 Days of Prayer for YWAM Africa. Cape Town, South Africa:
Africom www.ywam-africom.org
Dixon,
Patrick. 2006. Christian Action and Compassion. Retrieved
1 May 06 from www.globalchange.com/craids.htm
_____________2004. The Truth About AIDS, 4th ed. London: ACET International.
Igo Osb,
Robert. Listening with Love. Pastoral Counseling: A Christian response
to people living with HIV/AIDS. Geneva: World Council of Churches. (downloadable from http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/mission/ehaia-documents-e.html)
John Sandy, Niwaely. (HIV/AIDS coordinator). Email. Morogoro Tanzania: Youth With A Mission.
Kaleeba, Noerine, Joyce Namulondo Kadowe,
Daniel Kalinaki & Glen Williams. 2003.
Open Secret; People Facing up to HIV and AIDS in Uganda. St Albans:
e-TALC Issue no.3 e-talc@talcuk.org www.e-talc.org
Moreau, A. Scott & Mike O'Rear. 2006.
The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic. EMQonline.com.
Jan. 06. Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS).
Sherman, Dean. 1999. Love, Sex and Relationships. Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing.
Smart, Theo. 2006. HIV/Malaria: When
Elephants Collide. HIV & AIDS Treatment in Practice #64.
Retrieved from www.aidsmap.com.
UNAIDS.
2005. AIDS Epidemic Update. www.unaids.org
University of the Nations Catalogue
2005-2007. Kona, HI: Youth With A Mission.
Kate Muammar works with YWAM Africa under the Africa
Field Service Team. She has worked for several years with YWAM Uganda, YWAM
Harpenden, and more recently moved to Southern Africa. Her role is to
facilitate YWAM’s response to HIV/ AIDS by encouraging the bases to incorporate
HIV/AIDS elements in their current activities. She believes that the DTS is a
key response of YWAM in helping people to prevent HIV infection (through
evangelism and discipleship that leads to behaviour change). She also aims to
help the bases address HIV and AIDS within YWAM and see how YWAM can provide a
loving accepting environment on their bases so that those amongst staff who are
living with HIV are free to be open and will feel supported.[K4]