AIDS In Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is more affected by AIDS than any other region in the world: only 12 percent of the world’s population, yet more than 60 percent of the world’s AIDS-infected population. Average life expectancy is 47 years.

12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa have been orphaned by AIDS. Many of them are born with AIDS.

African economies, already weak and unstable, worsen as the majority of those infected with AIDS are in the prime of their working lives, yet unable to be productive.

How do Christian Aid-supported indigenous ministries address this epidemic?

By Rae Burnett

I met 5-year-old Jamoke in Winnie Owiti’s house. She awakened one morning to find him lying naked on the ground outside her front door. She scooped the crying bundle into her arms and kissed the distraught, tear-stained face.

Whoever abandoned him must have known of Winnie’s compassionate ministry, Ebenezer Life Center in Kenya, which cares for widows, orphans and abandoned children, many of whom have AIDS. Winnie later discovered that Jamoke was an AIDS orphan and also had the disease.

Woman and her infant I am glad to have met this precious child, for it showed me first-hand how Christian Aid-supported indigenous ministries address the AIDS epidemic. The spiritual life of those afflicted is of uttermost importance to these ministries.

Stretching resources past the limit

Many of the 100+ widows helped by ELC have AIDS and most are caring for their grandchildren, as their own children have died of the disease. Knowing the love of Christ, they have even opened their arms to men ostracized by their families because of AIDS. ELC is also home to 300 orphaned or abandoned children. More than 600 school-age children attend ELC schools.

Christian Aid recently provided funds for a vocational training center to equip the widows with income-generating skills. Winnie is now praying for sewing machines for the tailoring shop.

She also hopes to raise livestock, fruits and vegetables to help feed the growing number of widows and orphans seeking shelter at ELC.

Christian Aid does not support any "AIDS ministries"

Jamoke died from AIDS As Africa director for Christian Aid, I am often asked what indigenous ministries are doing about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Although the ministries we support do not focus solely on AIDS, they do address the disease with a spiritual and holistic approach that has produced lasting results.

Focusing narrowly on one aspect of a person’s life, as in the case of AIDS, might provide a source of recognition and financial help; however, the African ministries we support are vitally involved in all facets of men’s lives.

Christian Aid-supported ministries share the gospel, plant churches and disciple believers. Following the example of Christ, they attempt to alleviate physical suffering while sharing about true spiritual healing. Whether meeting needs for water, food, education, disaster relief, medical help, or disease prevention, native missionaries do all in Jesus’ name. They save lives, both spiritually and physically.

AIDS, along with other problems, is addressed in light of the cross of Christ. Native missionaries explain that AIDS is a byproduct of sin that, in Christ alone, is forgiven. Only He can change a person from the inside.

This killer disease, which destroys families and furthers poverty, can never be resolved through secular programs. Their strategies, though funded with millions of dollars, consist mainly of condom and drug distribution. They have failed. And without the power of Christ to change hearts, they will continue to fail.

African society and traditions promote AIDS

The cultures of most African tribes are not conducive to sexual abstinence and marital fidelity. Rather, sexual promiscuity and polygamy are actually encouraged.

The Gando tribe of Benin “initiates” children into adulthood by forcing them to sleep outside the home from age 6. Intended to build strength and resilience, what results is child pregnancy and the spread of disease, as these young children spend each night with different partners. Typically, adultery is also expected and accepted.

Increasingly throughout Africa, girls as young as 5 are sold for prostitution, as men are fearful of contracting AIDS from older women.

The indigenous-ministry response to AIDS

Claude Sossa, leader of Christian Aid-supported Christ’s Power Ministries, has an excellent reputation in Benin, in part because of his work among orphans and widows. Nationally recognized in the field of education, Sossa established five Christian schools where children attend free.

Praise meeting CPM’s six schools of missions trained 600+ native missionaries who planted more than 150 churches throughout Benin.

With support from Christian Aid, Sossa started Community Transformation Project, providing medical assistance to AIDS victims, caring for AIDS orphans and providing income-producing projects.

Educational programs are fundamental to the project. Although some view teachings on sexual purity as an attack on their culture, AIDS victims are extremely open to the gospel message, as their own mortality is forefront in their minds. CPM uses the topic of AIDS to enter schools with the gospel. Within the first five months, 100 families expressed an interest for follow-up.

An alarming number of tribals believe that AIDS is airborne, easily infecting others. Consequently, many AIDS victims are homeless, cast out by their families. CPM missionaries educate these families, encouraging them to welcome the exiled member home.

CPM enables AIDS victims to become self-sufficient by raising livestock and crops. Among the Toli tribe, husbands expect wives to be the breadwinners. Unable to find work, many resort to prostitution to feed their families, resulting in a high incidence of AIDS. CPM has stopped this cycle by teaching them to cultivate cassava to sell. Many families have become Christians because of this kindness. Sossa is currently praying for a new grain grinder.