The HIV/AIDS Project |
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INTRODUCTION
The Church of Scotland continues its essential work
of raising urgently needed funds for its HIV/AIDS Project.
Begun in 2002, the Project has a mandate from the General
Assembly to the end of 2010. This recognises that HIV
and AIDS continue to be both a cause and consequence
not just of ill-health and death, but also of poverty
and lack of development around the world. With 10 people
infected with HIV and six dying of AIDS every minute,
every day, the need is obvious.
General Assembly’s clear position was stated in
the 2006 deliverance which “recognises that HIV
stigma and discrimination continue to act as barriers
to effective prevention and care within and furth of
Scotland; confesses to people living with HIV that the
Kirk has been involved in unwitting and unthinking stigmatisation
of them; and calls on all Christians in Scotland to
work to overcome ignorance and prejudice about people
living with HIV wherever they may be.”
Project aims
People living with HIV throughout the world do not look
for our sympathy but our solidarity and practical support.
The Project aims to provide that support around the world
through its partnership with Church-related and other
faith-based organisations and so to bring hope.
The Project's aims are to:
- break the silence on HIV/AIDS;
- stand together with partner churches;
- offer practical support;
- speak up for the voiceless;
- involve every member of the Church.
Help bring hope and life today
Christians at the Toronto International AIDS Conference
2006 unite to respond
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Donations to the Project's appeal
will help raise awareness, provide home-based
and orphan care, start income-generating projects,
train peer educators, encourage voluntary counselling
and testing, introduce theological education around
HIV and build capacity in individuals and organisations.
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You can bring hope and life in just a few moments by
donating online now to
our HIV/AIDS Project. Click
here to donate. Every pound raised will help prevent
a new HIV infection and provide support for those living
with the virus.
More information
For more information about the Project's work and to
find out how you can get involved, or to apply for grants
from the appeal, click on the links on the right hand
side. You can also download the latest resources, including a sketch for Christmas Eve.
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Message of support from the Moderator
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church
of Scotland for 2009 - 2010, the Right Rev William Hewitt, offered his
support and encouragement to the Project:
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"The HIV pandemic remains one of the great challenges facing our world. 'HIV and AIDS knows no boundaries,' says the World Council of Churches. 'All of our religious communities are living with HIV and AIDS, yet a common thread in our beliefs is hope inspired by faith.' Churches and faith-based organisations can have a unique and critical role in helping to 'break the silence' which surrounds HIV and AIDS, and in challenging the stigma and discrimination which people living with HIV still face, both in Scotland and overseas.
During my recent visit to South Africa, I saw first hand the two sides of the problem. I visited a school for 3 - 7 year olds, where the children are taught, fed, clothed and well cared for. They are educated in their treatment regime and speak quite openly about HIV. They are being used as peer educators as well as breaking down the stigma among their parents, grandparents and guardians. The school is being used as an example of best practice for other schools in the regions. At the other end of the spectrum I visited a hospice for HIV positive people who had been living on the streets and who had developed AIDS, and with the support of the local churches these people now had at least somewhere to stay and be cared for at the end of their lives.
The Church also has a role to speak out prophetically against the injustices which perpetuate poverty and encourage the spread of HIV. The Church of Scotland's HIV/AIDS Project seeks to dispel fear and act as a bearer of good news; the partners which it supports are bringing real hope to communities near and far.
I warmly commend the Project to you, and ask for your prayers and practical support so that it can go from strength to strength, witnessing to God's abounding love, his acceptance and compassion."
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