Gender Equality
Major challenges in the global fight against HIV/AIDS

In his remarks at the International Women’s Summit held this past July in Kenya, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot called for stronger and sustained leadership, especially among women and women’s groups, and continued advocacy to give a voice for the voiceless:

“The most significant development of the AIDS epidemic is its growing feminization. What entered history 25 years ago as a disease of white gay men is now increasingly affecting women all over the world. Take our host country – an astonishing 67% of people living with HIV are women and girls. This trend is transforming the AIDS epidemic and it must now equally transform our response to AIDS…We are starting to see a return on the massive investments on AIDS of the last few years. Finally! But, it is all going too slowly. If we continue at the current pace, there will be fewer than 5 million people on treatment by 2010 - just over half of the people who will need it. That is a long way from universal access!”

Through Guardians of Hope, you are part of a movement in Africa and Canada that is addressing these crucial issues. You provide much-needed funding for small, but powerful grassroots projects in Kenya, Rwanda and Angola which are empowering women, providing access and funds for treatment, medical care and nutrition-training, spiritual counsel, micro-credit and so much more.

Here are just a few of the stories that you have played a significant part in. We thank these brave men and women for allowing us to share their struggles and triumphs with you. It’s one way that they would like to say thanks to you for your generous support and prayers.

After her parents died of AIDS, Ruth (pictured), and her younger brother were cared for by their grandparents. Though they were very poor, her grandparents somehow managed to pay for her schooling.  Ruth dreamed of getting a good job so she could help put her brother through school and improve the living conditions of her dear grandparents.  Guardians of Hope helped her. Not only did her brother receive school fees, but Ruth also got a small business loan to improve a small clothing kiosk she had started on her own.  Ruth proudly shows off her prospering shop. She’s paid off the first loan and plans to apply for another to expand her business into a nearby village. 

Healthier Lifestyles
Guardians of Hope encourage youth to break the stigma and choose healthier lifestyles

In the Thange region of Kenya (near a major trucking route from Mombasa to Uganda and Sudan), HIV and AIDS is a severe challenge. According to Jane Muli, principal of St. Peter’s Secondary School in this region, “People [here] have low morals with little self respect or respect for others as seen by prostitution, abusive relationships and broken families. The boys and girls lack good role models with boys insisting on intimate relationships with their girl friends.”

This led one of the school teachers, Simon Mwololo (pictured right with Principal Muli), to start “Straight Talk”, a club where students can learn about HIV and AIDS and then share the information with their families. By writing poems, producing plays and having open dialogue they help to clear away the myths and stigma attached to HIV and AIDS and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Simon is also the chairperson of the Thange GOH project, which includes a new health clinic.

“Because of Thange Clinic and Simon’s dedication, the community are informed and attitudes are slowly changing,” notes Prinicipal Muli. “Students receive treatment for malaria and water bourn diseases, treatment is given regardless of the ability to pay…and food grain was supplied for students during a time of poor crop yields which prevented the school from closing.”

”Now there is less school absence due to lack of money for fees or illness and a new desire [among students] to live with self respect and dignity.”

Our Challenge Continues
Still insufficient access to anti-retrovirals

The provision of antiretroviral therapy has expanded dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa: more than one million people were receiving antiretroviral treatment by June 2006, a tenfold increase since December 2003, reports UNAIDS in their 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update.

 “Treatment scale-up efforts have been especially strong of late in some countries, including Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia. However, the sheer scale of need in this region means that a little less than one quarter (23%) of the estimated 4.6 million people in need of antiretroviral therapy in this region are receiving it.”

In July, a new dispensary was opened in memory of Bishop Ngala who died earlier in the year. The Bishop, a founding member of the Africa Brotherhood Church, served for over 60 years. Many gathered to celebrate the opening of the small clinic (pictured). After the ceremony, the clinic handed out deworming tablets to over 2,000 individuals. This clinic is one of more than 15 now providing service in Kenya’s more remote and underserved regions as a result of support from GOH.

Paul (pictured) lost both parents when he was just 16 years old. They fell sick and died in the same year as a result of AIDS related sicknesses. His vision of pursuing secondary and university education was shattered as he had to take up the role of bringing up his three siblings. One sister has a mental disability which creates even bigger problems for this poor, struggling family and for Paul, a young man who suddenly found himself in charge.

“As the head of this family now, I feed them, clothe and pay school fees,” says Paul. “My vision is to make sure they lead better lives in future. For lack of finances, I am forced to look for casual labor but the funds are never enough; but God has been on our side.”

Today Paul is 21. Last year, he received help from GOH in Kawangware. “I came to know about the project through ACC&S [African Christian Church & Schools]…and it has been of great assistance. My family has received counseling, pastoral care, and school fees for my brother…we have been encouraged to rely on God, surely
my family is able to face tomorrow through His grace.”

Please encourage others to join our fight. Help us continue to provide crucial funding for micro-credit, prevention, treatment and care.

For more information on how you or your church or group can become Guardians of Hope or to make a donation to Children of Hope pilot project, please contact us at 905.821.3533 or email guardiansofhope@cbmin.org

Thank you for your support!

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe: Please click here . CBM respects your privacy and will not rent, sell or lend your private information to third parties.