CURRENT ISSUE

Feature Article

Who Will Care for the Children?

Last night Patience died, as her husband before her, and the time had come to decide what would happen to Patience's six children. The community said that Maria was most like a mother to them; Maria and her husband should just take care of them. Although Maria wanted to care for her friend's children, she was already caring for her own four children, plus six from two sisters who also died of AIDS.

This scenario is all too familiar throughout sub-Saharan Africa as the HIV/AIDS epidemic surges on leaving devastated individuals, families, communities and even entire countries in its wake. Today in sub-Saharan Africa 29.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Of these, 3.5 million were infected in 2002. The very future of the nation depends on one question: who will take care of the orphans-the adults of tomorrow?

What Can We Do?

Residents of Tumaini lead Global Exchange participants and hosts
from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Nairobi, in song.

While traveling with the Kenya group during the Global Exchange, I was reminded how caring Presbyterian Women (and most Presbyterians) can be. A participant asked, "What can we do?" Here are some ideas.

1. Pray. Pray for the people who are living with the crisis and pray for yourself to know how best to respond. Be careful though, because sincere prayer tends to change one's life.

2. Educate yourself. Take every opportunity to learn more about your sisters and brothers in Africa. Learn not only the facts,
but also what life is like for those who are living with HIV or
AIDS in their lives, their families
or communities. As you educate yourself, share what you learn
with others.

3. Advocate. Find out what is happening in your community or contact the AIDS Desk in the Worldwide Ministries Division (Dorothy Hanson, 888/728-7228, ext. 5415 or wam@ctr.pcusa.org) for suggestions. Because AIDS and poverty are so closely related, anything that will help to alleviate poverty or help to build up the infrastructure of developing countries will also be an indirect form of AIDS prevention and care.

4. Develop relationships with churches, women's groups or AIDS projects that already exist. Write letters to let them know of your interest and support. Ask questions that give them an opportunity to share with you what is happening in their area. Be open to hearing and to caring about these friends who are facing such an enormous crisis.

5. Provide financial support. Although money should not be the basis for a relationship, it is a significant factor for any program. A series of Extra Commitment Opportunities exist to provide much needed financial support. See the accompanying list or visit www.pcusa.org.

Janet Guyeris the PC(USA)'s regional AIDS consultant for Southern and East Africa.

Extra Commitment Opportunities

AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Africa (ECO #051674)
Because the needs of orphans and their caregivers (often a grandparent or an older sibling) are so desperate, this ECO was established. Contributions to this account go specifically to projects working with children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, providing for their basic needs, including food, clothing, education and medical care. In addition, people who care for the orphans are also trained in ways to best support these children.

AIDS Crisis Overseas
(ECO #862706)
Gifts to this account support a broad range of projects throughout the world, primarily church- and community-based projects, such as home-based care for people with AIDS, prevention education and pastor training for the spiritual and emotional care of people living with HIV. Giving to this account, you give others the ability to respond quickly to needs as they arise.

0.7 % Initiative
(ECO #051791)
This is a practical strategy for Presbyterians to engage in global efforts to aid the poor, particularly those caught in the vicious cycle of disease and poverty. Presbyterians are asked to prayerfully examine their own personal giving and commit at least 0.7 percent of their income to programs that contribute to development of poor nations. Donations to this account will be used for prevention, treatment and community-based care projects related to AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. At least 20 percent will go specifically for AIDS work in Africa.

Home-Based Care Kits in Africa (ECO #051700)
Family members struggle daily to care for a loved one with AIDS, often without the barest necessities. This account provides for Christian concern and compassion, expressed during home visits and the gift of supplies in the Home-Based Care Kits. Funds will also provide for congregation-initiated, home-based care programs.

AIDS Consultant in Central and West Africa (ECO #051656)

AIDS Consultant in Southern and East Africa (ECO #051673)
Gifts to these accounts help support the work of two PC(USA) mission personnel as they provide support and expertise to our partner churches struggling with the AIDS crisis. These accounts provide the working budget for the consultants.