Leader's Guide: A Generation of HopeNote: This leader's guide is also available in printable PDF Format (200K).
The presence of Jesus is among us when we gather together. Viewing a movie like "A Generation of Hope: What It Means to Prevail in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic" may suggest fresh ways for each participant to respond with action, additional study, or prayer.
Begin by showing the 10-minute DVD. Then ask participants to read aloud the questions, giving each one the opportunity to answer.
1. Traditionally in African society the extended family is responsible for the needs of children. But the large number of orphans has overwhelmed family resources. What were some of the innovative responses from the community portrayed in the movie?
2. As the AIDS epidemic has spread, communities have seen an increasing number of children caring for other children in households were there are no adults. What were some of the creative ways the communities found to assist these children in their role as head of household?
3. Many of the responses seek to keep the children in their own homes. What were some of the ways the assistance provided ensured that the children are cared for with compassion and dignity?
4. United Methodists have the opportunity to be a reason for hope. Not mentioned in the movie is a recent donation from a generous United Methodist family that will underwrite school fees for some 3,000 children in Zimbabwe for the next 6 years. All the children have been orphaned by AIDS. Dr. Peter Fasan, the Africa University administrator who will oversee the implementation of the project in Zimbabwe, said, "Some children collapse when their parents die. Others decide to do what they think their parents would do. That's how they hold on." What actions can you think of to respond to this kind of resilience?
5. Discuss this statement, made recently by the Rev. Paul Dirdak, who heads UMCOR. "Quite often the scope of a humanitarian crisis cannot be reflected in the size of the contribution the church can make."
UMCOR's ministries in Zimbabwe assist children heading households to receive care with compassion and dignity. Contributions can be made to UMCOR Advance #982842, AIDS Orphans Trust and UMCOR Advance #101218, AIDS Awareness and Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Donors can place their checks in the offering plate at a local United Methodist Church; mail their gifts to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115; or make a credit card donation by calling 1-800-554-8583.
File Download Help: To read and print PDF files, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. If you are on a slower online connection and a PDF file is large, try the right-click download technique: With your mouse, try right-clicking on the link (with Macintosh, hold "Control" and click). From the menu that appears, select "save target as," "save object as," or "save link as." Choose the directory on your computer where you want to save the file and then download ("save") it. (This right-click technique does not work with Firefox.)
Filmed in 2001, "A Generation of Hope" was reissued in Fall 2004 as a DVD with study guide. It is available free from UMCOR. Send orders to "A Generation of Hope" DVD, United Methodist Committee on Relief, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115.
Photo Credit: Mike Dubose/UMNS.
A Generation of Hope: What It Means to Prevail in the HIV/AIDS Crisis
|
Get the DVD "A Generation of Hope"! Send orders to for this free DVD and study guide to: "A Generation of Hope" DVD, United Methodist Committee on Relief, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115.
