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Together we can stop HIV
Debbie Dortzbach is Senior Health Advisor at World Relief and has spent 16 years with us. Here she shares how it’s possible to achieve the unbelievable:In the next 1,000 days we can stop HIV from infecting babies—worldwide! Unbelievable.
This is the goal set by a task force from UNAIDS and the United States Office of Global AIDS Coordination—to eliminate new infections among children by 2015 and to keep their mothers alive. As the faith community and members of the global family, we have work to do.
Only a few years ago, I cradled a pencil-thin woman whose one desire was to cradle her own baby just one more time. Her children were far from her. She longed to be strong enough to return to them. Today, antiretroviral treatments enable infants to avoid getting HIV from their HIV-positive mothers and dramatically enable HIV-positive women to not only return to health but maintain their health for many productive years, investing in their own lives and the lives of their families.
The Mozambican family in the photo tells a tragic story of three generations impacted by HIV. The boy, who is the primary caregiver, holding the baby is an uncle to the infant whose mother died of HIV, along with the boy’s mother, the grandmother to the baby. Their local church stepped in to help this family. Once again, faith communities across our world have a clear call to accept the challenge to helping millions of children, born and not yet born, to never be exposed to the virus.
We invite you to join World Relief in a faith partnership to support the elimination of HIV in children and the promotion of health for their mothers. At a recent event in Washington, DC, Dr. Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator praised the past work of faith communities, claiming they had a “pivotal, unique role…providing health, healing, and especially hope.” He concluded by saying, “We need you now, more than ever.”
We pray that the Lord, “like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions…” (Deut. 32:11) will use His people to care for His families and spare generations to come from the impact of HIV.
Want to join in this endeavor? Click here to read more and find out what you can do.
“Mama Claudia”
For over 6 years, Claudia has been volunteering with World Relief in the Tri-Cities area in Washington. She mentors refugees from Burma, Columbia and Somalia. Many of the younger refugees who have lost their own mothers or may never see them again know call her “Mama Claudia.”Here, Claudia shares why she has chosen to stand with refugees:
“I had been praying about a way to volunteer that would be meaningful. One night, at a church meeting, a World Relief staff person stood up to speak about refugees. As soon as she stood up, I knew that’s what I was supposed to do. I didn’t really have many cross-cultural experiences to draw from, other than a time in the 1970’s when I was part of a church that helped host a Vietnamese family or when I worked with a literacy project in California. But I’ve always been one to look out for the less-fortunate. Even in high school, I remember that I always seemed to have more than my friends did and I wanted to give to them.
Many refugees have gone through so much tragedy and have suffered a lot of trauma just to get here. When they tell you the story of how their government stole their land and killed their family or when they tell you how they used to live, cooking, cleaning and sleeping all in a shack that is the size of my dining room, it reminds me again how fortunate I am. I am blessed with more than I need.
I’ve learned a lot from the refugees, about myself and about how our cultures are so different. One time recently, I was upset at a landlord about a situation in a young Burmese couple’s apartment, and I wanted to march over to that office and get it resolved. My Burmese friend, who is much more gentle and kind than I, stopped me and said, “no, I’ll take care of it. It’s ok. I can do it.”
Once I mentioned to my Somali friends that I had a headache, and after that, each Somali kept taking turns checking on me to see if I was ok. I’m accepted by them, and they appreciate me and the help I can give them. They often confide in me about problems or questions they have about American culture. I’ve had many very personal conversations with them, and they sometimes seem much more open than we are in our culture.
It’s so funny to go out in public and have these Somali people call me their mama. When I help them with appointments, the receptionist will ask what my relationship is to the group of Somalis standing there with me. We stop, look at each other, and just smile. I usually end up saying, ‘well, I’m their American mother.’ No one really asks questions after that.”
The DR Congo in May – “We pray and carry on”
Jesse Thornburg, World Relief Volunteer in the DRC, tells the story of DRC’s most recent uprising:
For eastern DR Congo, this has been a scary and puzzling week. The new leader of the M23 rebels, Sultani Makenga, has for the past month been openly threatening via radio to attack the city of Goma, but no action resulted for weeks on end.
More stressful than “the boy who cries wolf” is the pack of wolves who cry “we will eat you” but stand peacefully by (armed and ready) for weeks on end. Then suddenly, the M23 rebels fulfilled their threats and attacked Goma last Wednesday morning.
They fought with the government and UN troops in the western parts of the city while we listened on the eastern edge. From our office, we heard the gunshots and artillery explosions falling – just like in November, but this time the explosions were much closer and within the city limits, around some of our staff members’ homes and an orphan center we support.
As our staff were being sent home, I hastily packed a few bags and drove our 3 American visitors into Rwanda. The visitors took it surprisingly well, especially considering two were new to Africa. The situation had accelerated so fast – that morning I spent the first hour of the workday as usual, thinking it would be just another day.
The fighting continued until the evening, and suddenly it stopped. It appeared the rebels had attacked in anticipation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Goma the next day. But in a bizarre turn, by the next morning (Thursday, 5/23) both sides had agreed on a ceasefire (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22634535). The UN troops stopped shelling, cleaned their tanks and trucks, then came out in clean uniforms to welcome their esteemed visitor. Mr. Ki-moon came and went as planned. The rebels withdrew outside the city and have remained peacefully there ever since.
I returned to Goma yesterday morning. We pray, listen, and wait, but so far the coast is clear. We don’t know if the rebels were making some sort of one-day statement or if they were pressured to leave by the DRC government, but we hope a viable, lasting peace is being formulated now.
In the end, at least 19 people (including several children struck by artillery) were killed last Wednesday with little warning, with 7 days of peace starting the next morning.
My friendquoted a Swahili proverb that perfectly captures the situation: “When elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” Here, as so often in Africa, “big men” play their games for power and wealth, but they usually face no repercussions. It is their citizens, the poor and helpless civilian families, who pay the price. Bwana atusaidie (The Lord help us).
Our fluctuating situation, from violence to tense anticipation to violence, seems to fit with Isaiah’s cries in Isaiah 59. The passage is long but when read together, it gives a picture of how many of us feel.
Tunaomba na tunaendelea (We pray and carry on),
Jesse
Photos by Christine Anderson
Riding (& driving) for the vulnerable
Park Street Church is a Church Partner with World Relief and is raising funds by riding 500 miles from Baltimore to Boston. Stephanie Coleman, member of Park Street Church, shares why she is passionate about Papua: On May 25, fourteen cyclists will jump on their bikes to pedal 500 miles over the course of one week from the World Relief headquarters in Baltimore to Park Street Church in Boston. These mostly amateur cyclists will push their physical and mental limitations in a gesture of solidarity with the World Relief staff and youth volunteers in Papua, Indonesia, who travel miles on foot to carry the Message of Hope throughout their communities, educating Papuans about HIV through the love of Christ.
I will drive alongside them in the comfort of a van. That’s right, a van with air conditioning, cushioned seats and a working radio (I hope). I’ll be wearing the “Crew Chief” cap as I attempt to keep all riders safe and accounted for while we travel through eight states up the Eastern seaboard. Though I won’t be pushing any physical limitations, I will be praying alongside the riders and remembering the time I spent in Papua three years ago.
I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the World Relief staff and youth volunteers in 2010 to stand beside them and see the evidence of God at work in Papua through their service. They did not have a van, much less air conditioning. But they had radios, and they were putting them to use.
The province of Papua has the highest HIV prevalence rate in Indonesia. In 2007, Park Street Church and World Relief partnered together to empower the local church to become agents of transformation in Papua to respond to the HIV issue there. Until then, more than half of the population had not heard of HIV/AIDS and misinformation abounded about the disease, creating seemingly insurmountable stigma for those living with HIV.
During my time in Papua, I met the most amazing group of youth – we’re talking teenagers – who dedicated their free time to writing, producing and recording radio programs that would help educate people in their home communities in the highlands about the realities of HIV/AIDS. The only catch was that the youth had to walk miles upon miles to get to the highlands and share the radio programs – then hike back to the town of Wamena for the next program. No bikes. No vans. Just feet and strong wills.
One of the youth volunteers that I met was Rahel Tabuni. At that time, Rahel was a leader in the youth forum – rallying her peers to discuss difficult issues. She is now on staff with World Relief, leading the way for more youth volunteers to create a forum for discussion and, more importantly, to take action. I was struck by how God has blessed an area that seems so poor in resources with a wealth of courageous, talented and dedicated young people willing to walk the talk (literally).
As our team of cyclists prepares to stand with Papua and Ride for the Vulnerable, I invite you to follow us on Facebook. You can also help us raise support for the local World Relief staff in Papua as they bring the life-saving message of HIV/AIDS prevention through the local church.
Terimah kasih! (Thank you!)
United As One Body: The Evangelical Day of Prayer and Action
Gabriel and Vanesa Dávila-Luciano, a dynamic brother-sister music duo called Dexios, joined World Relief and other organizations on April 17 for the Evangelical Day of Prayer and Action. Here, Vanesa shares her reflections on the day:
On April 17th, our music ministry, Dèxios was part of the Evangelical Day of Prayer and Action in Washington, DC. As part of the Advocacy Week, this event called all those who were willing and able to join G92, World Relief and other organizations.
After participating in worship sessions, visits to the representatives in the Capitol, prayer walks and dialogue with fellow participants that went there to share their personal struggles with immigration, Gabriel and I (Vanesa) are both convinced that being part of this event has been a transforming experience in our spiritual journey and our personal lives.
That day was an inspiration to see the Christian community, in all its diversity, unite as one body to worship together and raise one prophetic voice in solidarity with those who have suffered rejection, the injustice and lack of compassion for being immigrants. That same voice resonated in the halls and offices of representatives and senators with over 80 meetings. We were part of the meetings with representatives of the states of Florida and Virginia (where we each reside).
Having listened and dialogued with people that live with the uncertainty of deportation, even after going through all the proper legal process, made us reaffirm the spiritual and moral obligation we have as Christians and human beings to put ourselves in the place of those in need of justice, to speak and fight for those who cannot or dare not.
As Dèxios, we recognize that there’s much to do to reach the goal of a comprehensive reform that is just and compassionate. However, our ministry harbors the same hope as Jenny Yang, vice-president of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief: “… a bill that reflects the many principles that World Relief has supported…” is the commitment towards freedom and human dignity.
Celebrate Mom with a Gift of Hope
World Relief celebrates mothers around the world who daily rise to the challenge of raising healthy children and changing their families. This Mother’s Day, why not celebrate your mom by giving her a gift in honor of these incredible women?
Giving a gift from World Relief’s Catalog of Hope will empower moms in places like Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique and Malawi and equip them with training on how to keep their children not only alive but thriving and healthy.
Mothers fight for the preservation of family and relationship. They raise their children, often help earn income, and are the source of compassion and empathy for those around them. When mothers change their families, they change their communities.
Click here to start a Health & Nutrition Care Group or provide training for raising healthy children, or click here to shop the entire catalog and give a practical gift that will change lives.
Thank you for Standing with the Vulnerable!
Picture by Michael Master
Savings for Life™ is Changing Lives in Burundi
In Burundi, World Relief’s Savings for Life™ program empowers the most vulnerable in communities that lack access to even the most basic financial services. Savings helps the world’s poorest, who have shown tremendous capacity and willingness to save, build and protect their financial assets in climates where financial institutions can’t serve them.One of the members, Judith Niyonzima, shares how the program has affected her and her family’s lives:
My name is Judith NIYONZIMA. I am 40 years old and live in Makamba province. I am married and have 6 children. Two of them are in secondary school.
I am currently the president of a village savings and loans association called Tugirumwete to which I joined in April 2011. Before joining the association, we were living in bad conditions. Our house was covered with grass, and our children hardly got school fees. It was also very impossible to get 20,000 BIF [approximately $12 USD] in the house. It was also difficult to have our children treated when sick.
When I joined the group, life became improved. In fact we saved our money, got credit and made a small business. This makes our family happy. If someone (a member) gets a problem, we help him/her with the social fund. We talk together as members of an association and study HIV/AIDS. At the beginning, my husband could not understand because he was not accustomed to seeing a woman supporting the household.
But at the sharing out [of the money], he became very interested and decided himself to join another association of the area. Now, we have built our house covered with iron sheets.
Learn more how Savings for Life™ is impacting women like Judith Niyonzima. Check out the post on Malawi’s Savings for Life™ program by a US Church Partner.
From “We lost” to “We arrived” – Refugees share their journeys
Every year, World Relief staff and volunteers help thousands of refugees – victims of war and persecution – replant their lives in the United States. With 24 offices across the U.S., World Relief is the biggest evangelical refugee resettlement agency in America. Our staff and volunteers come alongside America’s newcomers, helping them adjust to the culture, find employment, learn English, take steps towards citizenship and build a future for themselves and their children.
World Relief has resettled more than 9,000 refugees in Minnesota since 1989. Here are a few of their stories:
Interested in volunteering with an office near you? Visit our website: www.worldrelief.org/US.
“My heart goes out to the youth of Cambodia”
Yamat Yan works with World Relief in the Cambodia Teenagers Training program that empowers youth to become leaders and mentors in their communities. Teenagers participate in small groups, volunteer in the AIDS visitation program, and adopt “brothers and sisters” to mentor and care for.Here, Yamat shares why he cares so much for the youth of Cambodia:
Every day I travel with my team to the villages in Kandal province to lead teenage education programs in the communities. We fellowship with the teenagers, mentor them, and mobilize them to action.
Cambodian teenagers deal with intense social, familial, financial, emotional, and healthy pressures. Though they are young, many of my students face marriage soon and need to provide for their family. Some of them work in harsh factory conditions or risk trafficking and exploitation when they leave the province in search of employment. Our curriculum reflects this intense context while communicating hope and joy in Jesus Christ.
I am sensitive to the issues of teenagers because I remember the transformation I underwent at the age of 16, when I came to know Jesus Christ. My family was strongly Buddhist, so my father threatened to beat me or even kill me if I went to church. I was afraid, but my love for Jesus kept me going. I would secretly meet with Christians to learn about God, and I continued to go to worship services, even though I was busy with work and university.
My heart goes out to the youth of Cambodia, and I face their problems every day as if they were my own. I love them all so much, and I love to see them spread hope to the rest of their community.
I want to see all of the villages of Cambodia transformed by Jesus Christ, and I know He can work even through me and through teenagers.
To learn more about the work in Cambodia, click here.
photos by Lynn Jue
Mozambique: The Courage to Replant
Maggie Konstanski is the Asia & Southern Africa Program Officer for World Relief. Just back from her trip to Mozambique and Malawi, Maggie reflects on her visit.
Recently I had the privilege of going to Mozambique and meeting women who did not give up. In January, flooding in the Gaza Province in Mozambique devastated villages close to the river. Homes were destroyed and crops that were almost ready to harvest were washed away. Significant damage was done to the infrastructure of these small farms, which many women depend on for survival.
Flooding in Mozambique is not uncommon, but floods of this magnitude are only expected to strike every ten years or so. The trouble with this most recent flood is that only last year floods destroyed homes and livelihoods in these same villages. Two years in a row these farmers have watched their livelihoods swept away by flood waters. Two years in a row these farmers have suffered significant losses. Two years in a row they have faced the discouragement of loss…and they have not given up.
When I showed up at the first farm I was expecting to see damaged fields. Yes, there was significant damage. The harvest had been lost, much of the infrastructure was destroyed and sand from the river covered the soil. Then I looked further and I saw a makeshift nursery full of little seedlings popping out of the soil.
The start of new life breaking forth from the soil always gives me a sense of hope. Women were hard at work in the field preparing to transfer the seedlings from the tray into the ground, doing the hard work of removing sand, repairing damaged structures and preparing the field.
This is no easy job. I helped lift a few bags of cement and fertilizer. I am a relatively strong person and I could barely manage on my own. I think these women are some of the strongest women in the world. Most of them were lifting far more than me and they had babies on their back! I think I need to start lifting weights when I get home!
It is not necessarily that I was surprised to see these women hard at work. This is how they survive and it makes sense that they would want to replant as soon as possible. What surprised me was the resilience. I feel like if I was a farmer I would have a somewhat fatalistic attitude towards the field. I would be expecting something to go wrong and express anger when hard times struck. Yet these women were working together to make sure that everything was planted in time and they worked with grace and joy. They were quick to express their desire to replant and repair the fields. Yes, there was discouragement, but they did not let the discouragement defeat them. They would replant and wait for that new life to grow.
I have a lot to learn from these women. It is easy to become discouraged and to want to give up. They reminded me that we will face many trials, but we must have the strength to keep going. We do not know when floods will strike, it could be next year and it could be in ten years from now. But we can choose how we respond. We can get stuck in discouragement and give up, or we can return to the field and place the seedlings in the ground as we cling to hope.
“Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will go with you wherever you go.”
Follow Maggie Konstanski on her blog.
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