Over 13 million children in Africa have been orphaned because of AIDS. According to the United Nations (U.N.), at least a half a million children in Zimbabwe have lost their parents to this disease.

The international community has accelerated its efforts to respond to this crisis, led by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan’s campaign for a $7 billion to $10 billion annual fund for prevention and treatment of AIDS.

United Methodist bishops called for a special fund, “Hope for the Children of Africa,” which through the General Board of Global Ministries has so far raised more than $6 million to establish orphanages, schools, feeding and clothing programs and health clinics.

The mission agency also assigned a new category of missionaries, “missioners of hope” to work with AIDS orphans in tutoring, health issues and counseling.

The Women’s Division of Global Ministries has funded programs across the continent to alleviate the suffering of children and has educated its constituents on the AIDS pandemic through its annual summer schools of Christian Mission.

Response to the crisis has also come through the disaster relief unit of the mission agency, United Methodist Committee on Relief. The agency, for example, has established community-based health programs and sponsored two major conferences in Zimbabwe on AIDS awareness and prevention.

Resources available for church wide use include print and audio material produced by Global Ministries.  There is also on online chat service where victims and family members and friends offer mutual support and share information.

A popular and useful tool for young adults is A Generation of Hope, an 11-minute video featuring Zimbabwean children who have been orphaned by AIDS.  See “external” link to the right of this article to view the video.

Moving testimony from the orphans helps enlighten and sensitize young people to the global impact of this disease and puts a face to the crisis.  Voices of the orphans also serve as a poignant reminder of our relationship and obligation to on another as a Christian family.

A Generation of Hope comes with study questions for discussion and tells how gifts can be directed to help.  To order, call (800) 251-4091.

Used by permission by the Interpreter Magazine.