Monday, October 1, 2007

GIVING HIV/AIDS A HUMAN FACE AND VOICE IN THE CHURCHES IN NIGERIA

ISSUES: Although Assembles of God Church is one of the largest churches in Nigeria; there was no body that was open on their HIV status. The challenge was on how to break the silence of HIV/AIDS in the church.

DESCRIPTION: Living Hope Organization, a support group of PLWHA in Abia State Nigeria placed seven of their members in the churches to give HIV/AIDS a human face/voice. The church leadership prepare a programme for PLWHA where they share their lives experiences of living with HIV/AIDS with the church branches, while counseling, referrals and distribution of IEC materials are carried out by church leaders.

LESSON LEARNT: The placing of PLWHA in a church for lives experience sharing is a starting point for breaking the silence about HIV/AIDS and can also serves as means of integrating HIV/AIDS as part of sermon and ministering to the congregation (public), also act as a catalyst for disclosure and entering point for VCCT in churches.

RECOMMENDATION: Churches should mainstream involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in their activities of HIV/AIDS. Also churches need special training on HIV/AIDS issues such as supporting members of their church who disclose their status, encourage and facilitate the formation and growth of support groups.