A challenging need
a champion response!

You’ve enthusiastically met the funding commitment for 2006 and launched us into 2007. Together, we have made a statement that we will not ignore the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS. Thank you for deciding to become personally involved. Let’s continue to spread the news. Encourage others to become involved.

Here are just some of the wonderful stories that we have heard about — ways that you are responding — making an impact, whether you live in Canada or Africa. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2007.

Joyce Forrester, Marilyn Phillips and Nancy Pruden (partially hidden) from Trinity Baptist in Vancouver, visit with the GOH Women in Kenya at an ABC GOH clinic under construction.

In BC, one woman inspires her church

One woman, a faithful GOH supporter, had the opportunity to visit several of the projects in Kenya and Rwanda. She brought the story home to her church, Trinity Baptist in Vancouver, who then decided to give a large portion of their thanksgiving offering to GOH.

On December 3rd, the first Sunday of Advent, Trinity Baptist, Sherwood Park, Alberta, held a special service: “Hope for those who have no hope”. One young woman shared her experience of working with the children of AIDS victims in Ethiopia and how she saw hope in that context. A video clip was also shown from the Guardians of Hope DVD and a benevolent offering taken (as per the usual custom on Communion Sunday) with the suggestion that it might go to Guardians of Hope. $700 was raised.

A couple of days later, some High School girls met for their weekly small group. Impacted by the service, they discussed with their leader the idea of taking on a project that would raise money for Guardians of Hope. They decided to sell poinsettia plants on the following Sunday morning and even phoned many of the people listed in the church directory in advance. The result of their little campaign is that by the following Sunday, they had sold close to 100 poinsettia plants, for an anticipated profit of $500 to donate to Guardians of Hope.

The first church to take on the funding for an entire project, First Baptist, Toronto, had the opportunity to send a group to Kenya to visit the village they have practically adopted, through GOH.

• Highlights of their trip (Word)

In Nova Scotia and Alberta, a teacher inspires students

Adam Hayward and Elaine Junk were two of the 7 Canadian teachers who participated in a professional development program for teachers in Kenya this past August. They returned to their classrooms in Canada and shared stories of children who were denied an education because their parents were ‘stolen’ by AIDS. Their students responded, wanting to become part of the solution to help those most impacted by HIV/AIDS. Their creativity and hard work raised funds to assist 30 children to return to school, to complete their education. See Spring 2007 mosaic online for this story.

Francis and Titus Kiilu sharing their story of hope.

In Kenya, one man breaks the silence

What can one person do? Ask Francis Mutinda. Just two short years ago Francis was sick at heart, rejected by friends and family and dying of AIDS-related illness when a friend came to help. Titus was there. Titus gave what he had. Encouragement. Help to receive treatment and basic needs. A way to contribute.

People were needed to speak out, helping others overcome the fear and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Francis began to courageously and candidly speak of the hurt and losses he felt before finding community, new hope and new life.

Titus, a Guardians of Hope coordinator with the Africa Brotherhood Church, invited Francis to start to accompany him to his HIV/AIDS training sessions with Guardians of Hope groups. Francis agreed. “I have received help and now I want to help others who are suffering.” Recently Francis gathered some of the HIV positive people he has met in his speaking to community organizations to form a local Guardians of Hope group with he and his wife.

Here is his reflection.

The Day Hell Broke Loose
by Francis Muntinda

April 2000 marks the beginning of the second phase of my life.
I enter the world of HIV/AIDS.
I am overwhelmed by grief.
I cannot think of anything else, grief is so demanding.
Try to ignore it – it will force itself in and everything else out.

Grief is about loss – AIDS is about loss of your kin, friends, health, job…
In my grief I search for what I have lost:
I go to places my friend and I used to go
I look at photographs of my self - strong and healthy
I remember my job as a mechanic and the future it promised
I look at my wife and child and all their hopes in me.

Often I am knocked down just when I begin to feel a little better
Over and over again I go down and struggle to get up
I cry, I weep until I run out of tears
I need to scream it out
Roaring and shouting until my pain subsides
Will I grieve forever?

My friends are dying
Why? ….it’s a secret…

Orphans who are heads of households in Butare, Rwanda. Guardians of Hope has provided them with HIV/AIDS awareness training some of them will continue on to further Children of Hope activities.

In Rwanda, a pilot project begins to help child/youth-headed households

This past January, we’ve taken the next steps to implement a program to reach the children who until now have not received adequate support. Called Children of Hope, this program augments the GOH work in two pilot project locations in Rwanda. CBM has hired Laura Ward to work as a consultant on this project. She is joined by Michel Nsengiyumva, program officer hired by the AEBR.  They will work together with a team of supervisors and mentors with the children to enhance the overall well-being of the children and their communities. Supervisors and mentors are now being identified and they will receive training in understanding and supporting the children’s strengths and vulnerabilities. A budget and the funding are coming together for the next three years. 

Other areas where GOH are at work will set up programs as the church and community gain experience and resources become available. This is a new commitment and is meant to more fully address the impact of HIV/AIDS and conflict on the most vulnerable of the community – the young children and orphans. For more stories and photos, see:

• Winter 2007 mosaic
• The Sharing Way update for more details of this project anticipated to assist over 600 children and how you can participate

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 Patty Card, at 905.821.3533 or email pcard@cbmin.org

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