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More than 500 Kenyans die from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses
every day. In rural areas of Kenya, many more deaths go unreported.
In Mozambique over 1.4 million people have contracted the
disease with 700 new cases per day. In Malawi there are close
to 1.6 million cases and in Burundi, 17.8 percent of divorced
men and 21.6 percent of divorced women are infected. The
long-term effect of this pandemic upon the next generation
is already evident. In Malawi there are approximately
470,000 AIDS orphans, and in Kenya, 890,000 AIDS orphans.1
AIDS Challenge is a series of programmes produced
in different languages for various countries in Africa
under the project umbrella of Save-A-Generation.
The popular programme known as The
Honey That Kills already
produced in Portuguese, French, Kirundi, Swahili, Chichewa,
Shona, siSwati and English will be developed into several
new languages, using pooled resources between studios and
producers across the continent, while tailoring the programmes
to individual countries and cultures.
As ministry to Africa's 23.6 million HIV/AIDS carriers2
proves to be challenging with only a small percentage of
those infected ever receiving health care, this programme
is already proving to have far reaching effects on Africa's
AIDS sufferers providing much needed education and advice.
An added benefit of the AIDS Challenge strategy is
the partnering relationships that are developing with other
Christian organizations already at work on the ground in
various countries. This has resulted in workshops and educational
programmes that will complement the programmes. In most
cases these workshops are of a formal nature; however, in
some countries such as Burundi, listeners have taken the
initiative in taking the programmes into schools, providing
education on HIV/AIDS issues where there is none.
AIDS Challenge is mostly presented in a magazine
format sharing the love of Jesus Christ through the Word
of God. Testimonies and encouragement from those who are
HIV-positive and who have accepted Christ as Saviour. Medical
and health advice is given by Christians who are experts
in their respective fields. These are packaged with music
that is relevant to this sort of ministry.
1.* Source: UNAIDS
2. Sourse: Official agencies within the countries mentioned.
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This girl from Durban, Kwazulu Natal has lost both
her parents to HIV/AIDS as well as her extended family. |
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