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Every nine and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV.
In about the time it takes to
watch this DVD, one more
individual will be added to the 33.4 million
human beings worldwide who currently are
fighting HIV and AIDS.
AIDS is a globalized epidemic,
but it has hit one region of the world harder than any other.
In Sub-Saharan Africa,
Over 22 million men, women, and children live
with HIV.
To help visualize the magnitude, a community of 22 million people infected by HIV is greater than the population of
the continent of Australia.
Though faith communities may not fully recognize the impact of their own beliefs and behaviors, they often contribute to the hostility, fear, stigmatization, powerlessness and silence that help to spread HIV and AIDS.
How do religious people think about the status of women and the interconnection
of gender, race and poverty?
These broad issues transcend national boundaries and local cultures, and they underlie the spread of HIV and
AIDS.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people
living with HIV, or who are at risk for HIV, do not have access to
prevention, care, and treatment.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, some 15 million children have lost parents to the AIDS
epidemic.
Sprinkled throughout the Hebrew and Christian
scriptures are reminders to take care of widows and
orphans, the most vulnerable in society.
Caring for the sick, educating the ignorant, empowering the powerless – this is the work of those who follow the spirit and way of Jesus, the Christ of God.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the people,
“Whatever you do to the least of your brothers [and sisters], you do to me” (Mt 25: 45).
In March of 2002, a group of African women could no longer watch as the disease continued to devastate families, friends, communities, and
countries.
They met with Margaret Farley at Yale Divinity School and concluded that women
in Africa must meet together, break the shame of silence about HIV and AIDS, and
share their experiences and ideas with each other so as to confront the scourge of
HIV and AIDS.
In an effort to respond, Sisters of Mercy Margaret Farley and Eileen Hogan
formed the
The conference offers nuns in sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to learn about HIV and AIDS, and to unite and empower each other to develop strategies to address HIV and AIDS in their cities, towns, villages, and communities.
To date, more than 1,000 Sisters have participated in AACSS
The Conference teaches:
Basic facts, a social analysis of its rapid spread and its demographic and socio-
economic consequences
Faith-based understanding
of sexuality, gender, power
and transformation
The Church and AIDS –
responsibilities, problems, possibilities
Cultural and cross-cultural issues
The role of women in
responding to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Ethical and moral issues,
especially regarding the prevention of HIV infection.
Sisters across Africa have developed country-specific action plans and have committed
themselves to
building networks and relationships among themselves and with other people and
agencies already involved in addressing HIV and AIDS issues.
Ten years ago, a small group of women knew
something had to be done to
educate women in sub-Saharan Africa about HIV
and AIDS.
They acted.
What about you?
How canYOU help?
What will YOU do to help these women help their people to meet the challenge of helping the women and children live as God wants all
God’s people to live:
– free of fear– fighting deadly disease
– creating lives of care and concern for their families, friends, and neighbors
The All Africa Conference:Sister to Sister needs our help – your help – to continue its work.
Won’t you help now,so that the ministry of hope and
healing can continue?
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,PLEASE CONTACT:
Eileen Hogan, RSM2715 Bainbridge Avenue
Bronx, NY 10458USA
Telephone: +718 584-7751E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.allafrica-sistertosister.org
Produced and directed by
Carol Rittner, RSMand
Deirdre Mullan, RSM
With thanks toSusan Allen
andNicole Magill
