When we were in Southern Africa, we went to a rural school and handed out candy to about 300 kids. Here are a few photos of these beautiful children. They loved having their pictures taken and then viewing the pictures on the back of the camera (typical kids!) We interviewed their head mistress. She shared that probably 80-90% of these kids have AIDS/HIV and really no access to anti-retro virals (ARVs). The ARV's aren't practical either as they have to be refrigerated, and there is no electricity out in these rural areas.
These kids are several days walk from the nearest clinic and this is actually the case for nearly 80% of the people, as 80% live in rural areas like this. Unless something changes, most of these kids won't live to see 18. The life expectancy in this area is 35 years old.
One of the thing that excites me about working for A.R.A.I. is that we have a flax lignan program that is making a difference in areas like this. The flax lignans, when introduced into these kids diets, boosts their immunity and in many of them will drop their viral loads to non-detectable. They'll have a chance to make it to 18 years old...and hopefully long enough to educate them about how to stay alive and stop spreading the disease.
The head mistress of this school begged for help. She begged for materials to educate the kids. She asked for more than just sex education materials though. She told us how they needed to educate them spiritually because their deep beliefs in ancestral worship is keeping the people from learning the truth of how to keep AIDS away. She has specifically asked for Christian material to teach the kids about God and Jesus and the Bible, so that they can have truth that can set them free from the bondages of always having to 'appease' dead spirits.
The people are so consumed with keeping the spirits of dead ancestors happy. The people put their trust in the witch doctor and won't go to the medical doctor if they are sick. The witch doctor will tell them bogus things like to get rid of your sickness, you need to go rape a woman. This doesn't help keep AIDS away.
They are a deeply spiritual people and so to reach them, we must consider reaching them through spiritual avenues as well as educating them about healthy sexual practices.
**If you'd like to help and can donate Christian education materials, this teacher is begging for materials. We can get them to her if you have any to send. If you know anyone who owns a Christian bookstore or education supply store and they need to donate supplies as a tax write off, we can help with that as well. Contact me at: wendy@aidshivawareness.org if you'd like to help in this way.
This is one of about 100 schools in this little rural area we are working with. Educational materials are needed as well as Christian DVDs and videos. This teacher has access to a portable solar run machine that can play videos.
The need is overwhelming, but there is hope. If we chunk away at the problem, we can all make a difference.
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