See also the news article: Zimbabwe United Methodists Confront AIDS Crisis
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a serious health, social and economic problem in many countries around the world, including Zimbabwe. This report examines the epidemic's impact on Zimbabwean society, describes United Methodists' responses, and offers some statistical background, and links to more information on AIDS in Zimbabwe.
More than any other disease, HIV/AIDS has proved its ability to disrupt the social fabric of the community. This is because the disease is fatal, mainly affecting adults of working age who have young children and elderly parents to support. Often AIDS can also strikes more than one member in household or family.
HIV/AIDS places enormous stress on infected individuals and their families who are confronted with the demands of caring for the seriously ill and with the trauma of death. In addition, they also face the economic burdens of health care and funeral costs, as well as the loss of income when the breadwinner becomes ill.
All of these factors are worsened by the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. This means that people can be victims of prejudice at work, in the community and at home, and invariably lack the support mechanisms that are available for most other fatal diseases.
The death of an adult can have a dramatic impact on family structure and function. Children, the elderly or single parents may be left to run households, with severe implication for those concerned. Women and female-headed households are particularly vulnerable to the impact of HIV/AIDS.
Cultural, social and economic pressures make women more likely to contract HIV infection than men. Susceptibility is increased by factors ranging from rape, economic dependence on men and pressure on teenage girls to have relationships with older men. At the same time, women and girls tend to bear the main burden of caring for sick family member, and often have less care and support when they themselves are infected.
As a nation, Zimbabwe must confront escalating health, social and economic challenges caused by this devastating disease. Without the commitment from all sectors of society, HIV/AIDS will continue to threaten the social and economic vitality of the nation.
Bishop Christopher Jokomo of the Zimbabwe United Methodist Annual Conference, has realized the urgency of the situation and that the HIV/AIDS crisis is not only a health issue but also a spiritual issue. He convened the "Education, Awareness, and Prevention Training Consultation of HIV/AIDS" in partnership with the General Board of Global Ministries to empower the intent of empowering the conference to confront the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the millennium.
The Education, Awareness and Prevention Training Consultation on HIV/AIDS held on January 17-21, 2000 in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. The 136 participants included, pastors, male and female lay persons, youth and presenters. The conference was designed to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education, increase the church's involvement in compassionate care, encourage the church to become a leading player in HIV/AIDS prevention and promote the church not only as a place of refuge for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS but as a caring community from which HIV/AIDS outreach ministries can be developed.
The conference's objectives were:
The church has a pivotal role to play in HIV/AIDS education and prevention. A major outcome of the Kadomo conference was the development of an action plan. Participants were divided into small groups (youth, women, pastors, district superintendents) to develop a plan of action for HIV/AIDS ministries. Consensus from this exercise indicated that the church could be instrumental in the following areas:
Bishop Jokomo commissioned each participants, by giving each individual a copy of the action plan, to go out into their communities and churches and implement these strategies.
The Church must continue to play the leading role in HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care. Our brothers and sisters in Africa, now more than ever, will continue to need our spiritual and financial commitment to deal effectively with this devastating health crisis.
1. UNAIDS estimates that the number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS world-wide was 33.4 million as of December 1998.
2. Of these individuals living with HIV/AIDS, approximately 22.5 million or about 68% of the world's total, live in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. The virus that causes AIDS has already infected and is infecting the citizens of Zimbabwe. AIDS has become the major cause of illness and death among the country's youth and young adult population.
4. Here are some more facts about AIDS and its consequences in Zimbabwe:
This chart shows UNAIDS' projections for the number of orphans from AIDS in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Click on the chart to see a larger version. The vertical measurement is in increments of .5 billion.
This article has been adapted from a General Board of Global Ministries staff briefing given by Betty Gittens on February 8, 2000.
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Please support UMCOR Advance #982345, "Global AIDS Fund," Advance #982842 "AIDS Orphan Trust," or Advance #101218, "AIDS Awareness and Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa." UMCOR encourages you to give through your local United Methodist Church. Gifts may also be sent to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. To make a credit card donation, call 1-800-554-8583.
Disclaimer: Links are provided to enable visitors to go to other web sites. Not all will have materials consistent with the official policies and statements of UMCOR, the General Board of Global Ministries or The United Methodist Church. In like manner, UNAIDS resources are a valuable resource, but their content is not necessarily completely in agreement with the policies and statements of the General Board of Global Ministries or The United Methodist Church. Only General Conference speaks for The United Methodist Church.
