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Journey of Hope for Africa

Hope is hardly the first word that comes to mind when one looks at the situation of Africa today. The problems and crises seem endless. In economic, political, health and educational terms, Africa is worse off today than it has been in recorded history.

- More than 14 million people are facing starvation
- Recent wars and genocide have killed millions of people
- In countries like Sudan, many people have not known peace in their lifetime
- 75 percent (23 million people) of all persons in the world living with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa
- Political and religious leadership is in crisis in many countries
- Tribalism, denominationalism and disunity abound in a time when unity is so desperately needed

Last September, approximately 100 people gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a conference entitled, "The Journey of Hope, Continued." The goal of this meeting was to evaluate critically the situation of theological education and training throughout the continent. The conference was convened by the office of the World Council's Education and Ecumenical Formation Team, led by the Reverend Doctor Nyambura Njoroge, a name well known to many Presbyterians in the United States. Dr. Njoroge was educated at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and received her doctorate from Princeton Seminary. She is the first ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (Kenya) and the first African woman to receive a doctorate in theological studies.

David Maxwell is coordinator for the office of Global Education and International Leadership Development, Worldwide Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more information visit the Web site www.pcusa.org/globaled.

Just the Facts

- 23 millions persons in Africa live with HIV/AIDS

- Africa comprises 10 percent of the world's population yet 75 percent of all people living with HIV/AIDS are in Sub-Saharan Africa

- One third of the world's poorest people live in Africa

- Half of Africa's population lives in absolute poverty

- 14.5 million people in Africa are facing famine

- One in 13 African women will die during pregnancy or childbirth, representing nearly half of such deaths worldwide

- 19,000 children die in Africa each day as a result of preventable diseases and malnutrition

- There are more than 12 million AIDS orphans in Africa

- Only 53 percent of African girls are enrolled in primary education

- There are 120,000 soldiers in Africa under the age of 18

Preparing Church Leaders to Respond and Console

"What does the church say to a woman who has two options: obey the sexual desires of her husband, who is infected with HIV, or refuse him and face homelessness and starvation with her children?"

"The church has promoted our culture's submission of women to their husbands' demands and now it is women who are being infected with HIV from unfaithful husbands."

Comments like these are heard repeatedly by pastors, church leaders and educators dealing with the realities of HIV/AIDS in Africa. The church is just beginning to deal with this crisis in direct and helpful ways.

One sign of hope is St. Paul's United Theological College in Kenya, offering a master's degree in counseling in HIV/AIDS. This program begins in January 2003 with a class of approximately 20 students, to be trained in all aspects of HIV/AIDS, particularly counseling skills. To be enrolled in this program, each student must be working in this field and have a group of 20 health-care promoters who they will train as they learn themselves. Thus, learning is multiplied and just one class of students will train 400 persons.

A Sign of Hope

More Women Leaders
One of the few invited guests for this "Journey of Hope for Africa" was Dr. Lothar Engel, representing a German mission agency. Lothar said that a big difference between this conference and the last one (more than ten years ago) is the participation of women.

"It is incredible to see the number of African women leading this conference, sharing visions of hope for the future and challenging the way things have been in the past in order to create a brighter tomorrow."

Two Presbyterian women (among many others) in attendance were Ms. Fulata Moyo and the Reverend Vuadi Vibila. Fulata is a professor of systematic theology at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. After years of teaching, she is beginning a doctorate program in South Africa to look at the religious and cultural elements that make women vulnerable to contracting HIV and the elements that support resistance.

Vuadi is a Presbyterian minister in Congo and teaches at the Protestant University of Congo. She is one of very few women ministers and faculty and is a wonderful role model for women receiving the call to ministry. Both women are members of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Her-stories: Hidden Histories of Women of Faith in Africa, edited by Isabel Apawo Phiri, (Cluster Publications, 2002) is a new book highlighting the lives of women like Fulata and Vuadi, and includes articles by 21 African women serving the church, many of whom were at this conference. To learn more, contact Cluster Publications, P.O. Box 2400, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 South Africa; or visit www.hs.unp.ac.za/theology/cluspub.htm.

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