Tearfund exists to join up the dots - between Christians in the UK and local churches across the world. Between the potential that the church represents and the problems facing those trapped by poverty. Between what we believe and what we do.
For over 40 years we have supported local church-based partners as they bring the good news of Christianity to their communities – meeting the needs of the whole person, caring for soul as well as the body.
HIV
Lately a key area of our work has been HIV and AIDS. By dedicating ourselves to halting the spread of HIV and reversing the impacts of AIDS in the communities where our partners work, by 2015, we've committed to a ten year journey which is already keeping thousands of mothers, fathers and children alive and in families.
The overall goal, the ten-year vision, in which this plays a part is to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty through a worldwide network of 100,000 local churches.
In 2006 we looked at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV through the story of Esther in Fombe village, Malawi, in our Work a miracle campagin. A few very simple steps mean newborn babies are prevented from being born with HIV.
In 2007 we focused on supporting churches as they care for children orphaned by HIV through the story of Rachel in Uganda, featured in the Bring childhood back to life campaign. Local church volunteers are able to restore childhood to children who lose parents to AIDS and are left in charge at a young age.
Alive. In 2008 the spotlight is on supporting local church volunteers as they help to keep people affected by AIDS alive through accessing life-saving ARV medicines. Parents like Berta are given the chance to live again because of the vital help of local church volunteers.
Coming soon
Next year, in 2009 we’ll be talking about stigma. By working with communities and focusing on stigma, families affected by AIDS can return to a normal life within their community
Then, in 2010, we’ll focus on encouraging behaviour change through educating young people. Helping to prevent the spread of HIV among a new generation is vital.
Since 2006 Tearfund supporters have given over £4 million to start making this vision a reality. The impact has worked a miracle in thousands of people’s lives. Many are alive now, who would otherwise not be. But there is more work to do.
If there is a key to all this then it is a simple one; that churches and volunteers understand their potential to affect change. When we fully understand our potential and decide to act on it, global change cannot be far off.
What you can do
Please pass on the Alive materials to your youth worker, small group leaders and so on. Together they form a whole-church resource that will inspire and equip you to make a difference in the struggle for access to HIV treatment.