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Many years before they were called to initiate and develop the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s response to the challenge of HIV and AIDS in Africa, Drs. Oscar and Eugenia Giordano were privileged to meet with Soiyet Koisaba in her traditional Maasai home in Ongata Rongai, a village outside Nairobi Kenya.

Dr. Eugenia Giordano with Adventist Maasai Women in Maasai-Land, Kenya. [Photos courtesy of AAIM]

That meeting took place in 1992 when the Giordanos, while on a visit to Maxwell Adventist Academy went with a group of Academy staff, led by Gwen Edwards, on a mission to bring the good news of the gospel to the Academy’s next door neighbours. The neighbours lived in a small traditional Maasai village adjacent to the academy. Two years later in 1994 the Giordanos were privileged to be back at Maxwell Academy when Soiyet together with a number of other people from her village became the first members of the Maasai tribe to be baptised at the academy. Some time after that the Maasai people including Soiyet relocated to the village of Kajiado near the Tanzanian border.

In January 2004 the Giordanos opened the Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) office in Johannesburg, South Africa. They initiated and developed a comprehensive program that addresses the many challenges of HIV and AIDS, by encouraging every church to become an HIV/AIDS Support Centre for the Community – bringing Hope and Healing to those infected and/or affected by HIV and AIDS. In the three and a half years since starting the AAIM initiative the Giordanos have extended the program to 16 African and Indian Ocean countries, establishing many support centres, community programs to help care for the thousands of AIDS orphans, income generating projects for women affected by AIDS and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centres.

Several AAIM projects have already been started in and around Nairobi and in a program to extend the concept to many more churches in that country, the Giordanos conducted a training seminar for 137 participants at the Ongata Rongai SDA church during May 2007. They noted that the Maasai village no longer existed but they were excited to enrol Soiyet Koisaba and 9 more Maasai, two of whom were infected by HIV, as seminar participants.

The team of Maasai participants were brought to the training program by Solomon Lenana who, in a voluntary capacity, fills the role of pastor. Solomon said that AIDS was of great concern to the Maasai people who, like many in Africa, were being ravaged by the pandemic. He said that there were approximately 600 Maasai SDA members in his territory but that this was the first ever church based HIV/AIDS support or intervention initiative among the these people.

Many Maasai people continue to live a very traditional life, living in arid parts of the country where water is scarce, fruit and vegetables are almost unheard of and their diet consists almost exclusively of milk which they drink at least three times a day.

The Maasai delegates proved to be very enthusiastic seminar participants recognising specific cultural challenges that they faced, such as the very sensitive issue of female circumcision which is still broadly practiced amongst many Maasai. During the seminar the participants developed a culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS intervention project, designed to meet the specific requirements of their people. They then presented their action plan to all the other seminar participants.

The Maasai participants were so pleased with the knowledge that they had gained and their new-found ability to make a difference in their communities that invested on Drs. Oscar and Eugenia honorary Maasai names. Eugenia was given the name Naipota which means ‘full of knowledge’ and Oscar was given the name Saruni which means “the one who came to help us’.

Projects such as these are extending Jesus’ method of offering hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, love and support to the lonely, to many of those in the world who are most in need of this.

Last month of November 2007 this group of Maasai received funds and materials to start their projects.

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Adventist Grandmothers Welcome the Queen of Lesotho to an HIV/AIDS Program

September 2007 - Johannesburg .... [AAIM Staff]

Singing and dancing with almost one hundred grandmothers from Seventh-day Adventist Churches spread across the country, Her Majesty the Queen of the Kingdom of Lesotho praised the Church for its efforts in combating the effects of AIDS in the Kingdom. She said that it was her wish that other denominations would follow the example of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This joyful occasion was the culmination to a three day training seminar in which ninety-two grandmothers from across Lesotho were given training and then tasked with setting up Grandmothers Clubs in their communities.

Her Majesty, the Queen of Lesotho, celebrating with 92 grandmothers at the closing program on Sunday, September 9, 2007. [Photos courtesy of AAIM]

The tragedy of AIDS is destroying lives and devastating families across the globe but with more than two thirds of the worlds’ infected, Africa is the continent most severely impacted by the pandemic.

As the Adventist Church’s frontline response to the challenge of AIDS in Africa, Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) is bring hope and healing to those infected and/or affected by AIDS. Serving through out the continent, Drs. Oscar and Eugenia Giordano, the directors of AAIM have witnessed first hand the devastating impact of AIDS on families and communities and can bear testimony to the healing power of love and acceptance.

While working with affected families Eugenia became aware that a large portion of the burden of AIDS was born by grandmothers and because of lack of knowledge on HIV prevention and how to best care for the infected, they too were at risk of infection.

In traditional African families, grandmothers are a source of wisdom, comfort and counsel; a point of stability around which the extended family rotates. In fulfilling this role she could expect to enjoy the support of her children and the extended family. Instead of being able to rest and enjoy the support of the younger generations many grandmothers are, as a result of AIDS, being forced to assume burdensome responsibilities.

Grandmothers are compelled to fulfil the multiple roles of caregiver to their sick or dying children, parent to their grandchildren, and provider for the entire family. In many instances these duties and responsibilities are not limited to caring for their own families but include members of the larger community. This awesome task is complicated by a lack of knowledge and an absence of support and comfort for the grandmothers. Recognising this need, AAIM set about the task of establishing Grandmothers’ Clubs that could act as a source of council and information for grandmothers and provide them with an opportunity to share their cares and concerns with others in a similar situation.

The SDA church in Lesotho is blessed in having energetic and enthusiastic members who are willing to work with dedication to share the love of Jesus with those in need. One such member is Evelyn Nkhethoa.

When Eugenia shared the idea of Grandmothers’ Clubs with Evelyn, Evelyn became excited by the idea and set about developing the concept with a passion. Evelyn badgered pastors, motivated sponsors and inspired politicians and as a result of her tireless efforts on September 7 this year (2007), Ninety Two Grandmothers from Churches across Lesotho gathered for a three days workshop at which they were trained in the skills required to set up Grandmothers’ Clubs throughout the Kingdom.

The extent of the burden placed on grandmothers was again evidenced by the Giordanos during the workshop. When asked who was currently taking care of friends or family affected by AIDS, almost every participant raised their hand.

Their stories are illustrated by that of one of the participants, Maborotho, who having lost here daughter to AIDS is now taking care of here two grandchildren. In addition to this task Maborotho is assisting a neighbour, also a grandmother, who having lost one daughter to AIDS in February and a second during May is now caring for four grandchildren, the oldest of these children being only seven years old and the youngest a babe in arms. The fathers of all these children have previously died from AIDS. Instead of having time to grieve for their own children, these grandmothers now have to fulfil the role of parent and provider to their grandchildren.

Through the workshop the grandmothers received training in home based care, nutrition, care for orphans and vulnerable children, and psychosocial support. In addition to the educational instruction, the participants were enriched spiritually through music and bible study and their physical needs were not forgotten as each participant was able to enjoy three wholesome and nutritious meals each day. On Sabbath the participants were especially privileged to be able to enjoy a banquet lunch sponsored by the First Lady of Lesotho and at the end of the conference each participant left with a hamper of foods and hygiene products.

Besides the valuable knowledge gained during the training workshop, for most of the participants the highlight of the program was the closing ceremony which was addressed by the Queen. She arrived at the meeting accompanied by a marching band and a guard of honour provided, by the local Pathfinder Club. Addressing the meeting the Queen praised the elderly for their dedication, service and sacrifice, and urged children to honour their grandparents for their sacrifice on behalf of their children and grandchildren. The queen urged the participants to share the knowledge they had gained with their communities, she thanked the Church for the work it was doing and said that she hoped that this would not just be the end of the seminar but rather the beginning of a great work.

At the end of Her Majesty’s speech the band struck up a lively tune and as the crowd ululated with joy and excitement, the queen came down from the podium and together with her subjects danced for joy at the opportunity to be able to bring love and comfort to those in need. People across the country were able to hear of the efforts of the Church as the closing ceremony was given prominent coverage on national television.

NOTE: AAIM is currently in the process of taking this initiative of Grandmothers Clubs to other countries in Africa.

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The Challenge of the HIV Pandemic and the Healing Power of Hope…

July 2007 - Johannesburg .... [AAIM Staff]

Sick people are usually surrounded, embraced and encouraged, by the love of their families and supported by their communities. Church members rally to assist, enveloping the affected in a warm blanket of love. At least this is what we acknowledge the true Christian response should be. Or what the Christian response should normally be, however the condition of HIV/AIDS is seen by many as an exception to the rule. Many church members seem to believe that it is acceptable or even desirable, to censure those infected by HIV.

The stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS remains a reality in many regions, and sadly this stigma is often strongest in Christian communities. Church leaders in some of the worst affected countries in the world, situated in Southern Africa, have received sincere questions from local church boards, seeking advice on what the church should do “to” rather than what they should do “for” the afflicted. This air of condemnation adds to the already significant burden of those infected and/or affected by HIV and AIDS.

The challenge of HIV and AIDS has grown to the extent that AIDS related causes are now the leading cause of death in Africa and the fourth largest cause of death worldwide[1]. The number of people infected and affected continues to increase in both Africa and other parts of the world. A recent news report noted that for every one person entering therapy, six people were newly infected.[2]

Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) (a mission established by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as the Church’s response to the challenge of HIV and AIDS) is implementing a program to ensure that SDA churches become havens of hope and healing, rather than centres of censure and rejection.

AAIM opened its office in Johannesburg South Africa during January 2004. This office serves the three Adventist African Divisions that together cover sub-Saharan Africa. While only about 10 % of the world’s population lives in sub-Saharan Africa, the region is home of approximately 64% or in other words almost two thirds of all of the people in the world now living with HIV[3]

The AAIM program has in the past three and a half years already been introduced in 17 African and Indian Ocean countries, and is expected to reach its twentieth country by the end of August 2007. AAIM’s goal is to empower churches to be able to meet the challenges of the pandemic at a grassroots level, and to help church members reach their surrounding communities as was shown by Jesus to be the response required of Christians where in Mathew 25:35-36 He said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”[4] The program provides churches with the tools necessary to assist their communities in providing Prevention, Care and Impact Mitigation.

AAIM’s action plan is to encourage, and then empower churches so that they can become HIV/AIDS support centres for their local community through the organization of “Church Based HIV/AIDS Support Groups.” Church and community sensitization programs precede the mobilization of the congregation. Love and compassion are the main drivers of this plan. In carrying the program forward the directors of AAIM, Drs. Oscar and Eugenia Giordano, have on numerous occasions witnessed first hand the incredible healing power of love.

Medical personal are able to provide powerful therapies, capable of ensuring that people infected with HIV can live long and productive lives. Unfortunately the efficacy of treatment is often impaired by the stigma surrounding the disease. The infected are reluctant to seek medical assistance until the disease has progressed beyond the point at which treatment can be effectively implemented. For those who do receive good treatment, on time, the effect of rejection is still a broken spirit leading to an impaired life. The directors of AAIM have regularly noted that many of those infected with HIV are not dying from the infection, but rather from a lack of appropriate care, nutrition and support. They have found that social support is a key factor in the improvement of the health of a person living with HIV and AIDS or any other chronic disease.

An example of the healing power of hope was powerfully experienced in the life of Maseeng. (See her story on the homepage) The directors of AAIM met Maseeng in Lesotho when she participated in a sewing seminar, provided by AAIM as part of an income generating project for those affected and/or infected by HIV. When they met Maseeng she was already receiving treatment with ARVs, but despite this she remained thin, pale and when talking to her one could immediately sense that she was hurting.

Throughout the seminar, as the participants felt loved and accepted, they began to share their personal stories with the rest of the group. As Maseeng realised that she was loved and accepted for who she was, she too began to open up to the group. She told them that she had once been a school teacher but that she had been infected with HIV. With the progression of the infection she became weaker, and discouraged to the point where she just wanted to give up on life. Through the love, acceptance and prayers of the seminar-participants, Maseeng found healing form loneliness and despair. This acceptance brought about a dramatic change in Maseeng. By the end of the seminar she was not only smiling and singing with the rest of the ladies but dancing for joy!

Maseeng decided that she was not just going to lie down and die but that she was going to live positively with HIV. She dedicated her life to making a difference to others. Now in the mornings, in a room the size of a single garage Maseeng runs a pre-primary school for over 50 children. In the afternoons, after the children have left, she runs a sewing class for ladies from her village, and on Sabbaths this same room is an Adventist church to 13 people. Looking at her broad smile and listening to her infectious laughter it is difficult to believe that she is living with HIV. Maseeng is a living centre of love and hope, and just one of many examples of the healing power of love and acceptance.[5]

By establishing HIV support centres, Adventist Churches can make a very real contribution, not only to the spiritual wellbeing of those infected by HIV but also to their physical wellbeing. The support centres can help combat ignorance, ensure that those infected seek treatment before that disease progresses to far, assist in ensuring treatment preparedness and help to motivate those on treatment adhere to the prescribed treatment regime. With in-excess of four million members, in more than sixteen thousand churches and groups spread throughout Africa, together with hundreds of educational and medical institutions, the Adventist church is in a position to make a very significant contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa. Following the introduction of AAIM programs, silence, denial and the stigma of HIV/AIDS has been broken in hundreds of SDA congregations. Church members have increasingly become involved in helping those infected and/or affected by the epidemic.

AAIM implements training programs for Pastors, Elders, Church and Community Members. The focus of these programs is on HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention, HIV and AIDS Counselling, Care (Home Based Care and Orphan Care), and Impact Mitigation through income generating activities that empower people infected and affected by HIV sustain themselves and live dignified lives.

AAIM has programs for youth, and other significantly affected groups such as women. There is also a program for older women; especially grandmothers who receive special attention from AAIM with the establishment of “grandmothers’ clubs.” It is important to recognise that grandmothers in Africa are the primary caregivers for their children infected with HIV, and then when they die the grandmothers continue to care for the orphaned grand-children. Without proper knowledge the grandmothers can themselves easily become infected.

Through the work of AAIM several Unions and Conferences in Africa have appointed National HIV/AIDS Coordinators that are helping to ensure the success of the HIV/AIDS programs in their region.

AAIM takes care to promote the “Jesus’ Method”. E.G. White wrote: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them ‘Follow me’.” [6]

AAIM is bringing hope and saving lives one person at a time, field by field, church by church, member by member, on a one to one basis.

AAIM’s dream is to see our churches transformed into “Centres of Hope and Healing”, where people can come with the confidence that they will be received with love and acceptance.

This article was written by Dr. Oscar Giordano, MD., MPH. – Executive Director of AAIM, Dr. Eugenia Giordano, MD., MPH. - Associate Director of AAIM, and Courtenay Harebottle - AAIM’s HIV/AIDS Consultant. July 2007.-

[1] The Global Fund. July 2007 Fact Sheet accessible at: www.theglobalfund.org/en/about/aids

[2] Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, his presentation at the Fourth International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney, Australia. July 2007

[3] Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 2006 report on the global AIDS epidemic. Geneva, Switzerland: UNAIDS; 2006

[4] The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

[5] Maseeng’s Story. AAIM’s website accessible at: www.aidsministry.com/devotionals

[6] E.G. White in her book, The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. 1905

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Africa: Church's AIDS Ministry Expands, Calls for More Regional Coordinators
March 13, 2007 Nairobi, Kenya .... [AAIM/ANN Staff]

Helping AIDS orphas are just one of the projects that Adventist AIDS International Ministry have taken on. [Photos courtesy of AAIM]

Delegates to the Adventist AIDS International Ministry annual advisory have grown from just four only four years ago to 22.

The AIDS International Ministry (AAIM), set up by the Seventh-day Adventist world church in 2003 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa to minister to those on the continent of Africa suffering from AIDS, may have started small. But at its fourth annual tri-regional advisory held Feb. 12 to 14 in Nairobi, Kenya, its growth was evident. When Drs. Oscar and Eugenia Giordano began directing the office, just four delegates showed up for AAIM's first advisory. Three years later, that number has jumped to 22.

AAIM's National HIV AIDS Coordinators came to the meetings from several African countries

Much of that growth hinges on the dedication of HIV/AIDS coordinators, said Dr. Oscar Giordano. "The difference in the progress of projects in regions where coordinators have been appointed compared to areas where they have not yet been appointed was dramatic."

At the advisory, country HIV/AIDS coordinators shared with the delegates the progress of numerous programs in their regions; programs such as the care and support of AIDS orphans, home-based care for the sick, education programs to combat discrimination and stigma and income-generating projects designed to assist with poverty alleviation such as beekeeping, raising goats, dressmaking and the establishment of bakeries.

During one of the meetings, "Emphasis on HIV Prevention: The Role of the Youth," Dr. Eugenia Giordano stressed that "churches should create a loving, caring and supporting environment for the youth; an environment where adults are not judgmental but accepting, and treat the youth with respect, accepting them as young but nevertheless full members of the church. Establishing meaningful relationships and interactions with the youth helps them to build up resilience to HIV/AIDS, by avoiding the high risk behaviors that lead to the HIV infection and other undesirable conditions such as alcoholism and drug addictions."

She added: "If we help by organizing the youth in support groups, with a strong spiritual foundation, they will go out and work in the surrounding communities as peer educators. As a result our Adventist youth will gain knowledge for themselves while they are conveying the messages to others. They will be a positive influence on others and will themselves be spiritually revitalized."

At the end of the meetings the participants compiled a final document of recommendations. These included: open and honest discussions about human sexuality, the appointment of dedicated HIV/AIDS coordinators in particularly impacted areas, and the collection of special offerings to financially sustain the work of those HIV/AIDS coordinators and church-based HIV/AIDS support groups. They also suggested each Adventist university in areas of the world heavily affected by HIV/AIDS should offer a general requirement curriculum on the disease.

"I am impressed how this ministry has grown so fast. As long as we surround ourselves with God's power we will continue making a difference," said Dr. Fesaha Tsegaye, director of the Health Ministries department for the Adventist church in the East Central Africa region.

AAIM is now actively working in 14 countries across Africa.

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United States: College Campus Gains New Awareness of HIV, AIDS
January 23, 2007 Riverside, California, United States .... [Taashi Rowe/ANN]

Dr. Eugenia Giordano (left) spoke of the work the Adventist Church is doing with HIV and AIDS patients in Africa. [Photos: Noelle Giordano/ANN]

About 1,000 students attended the presentation, some made commitments to become involved in AIDS work.

In an Old Testament studies class she focused on the stigma of AIDS. In a class on social work she focused on women as the face of AIDS and the impact it has on the family. In an art class she talked about how artwork is used to inform the pubic about AIDS. She attended business that focused on social entrepreneurship and what business can do to affect the AIDS cause.

No, she's not a teacher. She's Eugenia Giordano M.D., associate director of Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) and has spent several days as guest lecturer at La Sierra University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher education in Riverside, California. With each class she visited Dr. Giordano shared with students and teachers how HIV and AIDS impacts different facets of society. Dr. Giordano, along with her husband Oscar, who is also a medical doctor, oversee AAIM from Johannesburg, South Africa.

AAIM was started in 2003 to help Seventh-day Adventists in Africa deal with the scourge of HIV and AIDS, which claims the lives of 12 church members daily. Today AAIM has put down roots in local communities with programs that provide income and that open the doors of the church to those with the disease. Heide Ford, director of the Women's Resource Center (WRC) based on campus, invited Dr. Giordano to speak at the school after hearing about the work of AAIM.

On Jan. 23, Giordano spoke at an assembly in front of 1000 students about the global issue of AIDS and what the Adventist church is doing to combat the problem. The assembly was followed by a question-and-answer segment in which Dr. Giordano shared ways in which students can help those suffering from HIV or AIDS.

"I had the impression students have heard about HIV and AIDS in the United States but here it is kind of controlled through medication and treatment. Many don't understand that it is a global crisis," said Dr. Giordano. "It's not just in Africa; it is everywhere."

As for how the talk will affect La Sierra students, Ford said, "Some students will think 'it's no big deal' but for others it may plant a seed for something down the road."

She added that she was struck by the look on one of the young women's face during the presentation. "She had such a stunned look on her face when Dr. Giordano showed a slide saying 6,000 people die every day in Africa from AIDS."

"I was moved to tears to see the reality of the AIDS crisis especially how it affects the orphans," a student said during one of the classroom visits. "I think students need to be reminded of the AIDS crisis," another student said.

"You're an answer to prayers," Jodi Cahill, faculty sponsor for Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a student business group, told Dr. Giordano.

Some SIFE students were already involved in doing humanitarian work in Africa and were looking to do more projects. They were eager to partner with Dr. Giordano on the AIDS project.

Talking to students on college campuses often results in action on their part, Dr. Giordano said. In 2005 when she spoke to students at Loma Linda University and Medical Center, another Adventist institution, students went on a mission trip to Swaziland and raised funds to build a clinic for those affected with the disease. Giordano said many students are still involved today.

"One of the goals of the WRC is to highlight the incredible things that women are using their gifts to do in the world at large," Ford said, explaining how Dr. Giordano was invited to speak on campus. Dr. Giordano follows in the footsteps of Alice Ouma who also spoke about AIDS last year on the La Sierra University campus. Ouma spoke about the work she and her husband James were doing to help Kenyan widows and children orphaned by AIDS.

Ford says the response to Dr. Giordano's visit was overwhelmingly positive. She noted that many students asked how they can become involved. "Many were not even aware that our church has this ministry."

"Our church is caring, our church has a ministry and our church is doing something," said Dr. Giordano.

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Africa: Don't 'File and Forget' Church's Agenda, World Church President Urges Members
December 7, 2006 Pretoria, South Africa .... [Elizabeth Lechleitner/Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]
Taken from http://news.adventist.org/data/2006/11/1165522107/index.html.en

The Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (SID) region of the Seventh-day Adventist church will move from Harare, Zimbabwe, to its new headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa, over the next few weeks. The spacious three-story complex, located in one of Pretoria's business parks, will house some 50 personnel. [Photos: Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

From right, world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen; Mike Seloane, African National Congress Member of the Provincial Legislature; SID president Paul Ratsara; Claude Sabot, an associate secretary for the world church; and Roy Ryan, who coordinated with developers for the headquarters and is an associate treasurer for the world church, join audience members at the inauguration.

"We cannot be content with merely asking, 'What can we do?' We have to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves," Pastor Paulsen said during inaugural remarks.

Along with world church and regional leaders, Pastor Paulsen participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new headquarters.

"As a global community, we need to be a voice that articulates the issues, a voice that stirs the conscience of the governments and the people in positions to make a difference," said Pastor Jan Paulsen, Seventh-day Adventist world church president. His remarks were part of December 4 inaugural events at the church's new Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (SID) regional headquarters located in Irene, a suburb of South Africa's administrative capitol, Pretoria.

"We cannot be content with merely asking, 'What can we do?' We have to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves," he added.

In his address, Pastor Paulsen outlined what he believes is the world church's two-part agenda. While most Adventists readily acknowledge the church's "obvious" mission--that of "nurturing the spiritual life of the global community"--Paulsen stressed its other aim: meeting the "temporal and immediate" needs of both church and community members.

Cautioning against isolationism, Paulsen said, "The church was established primarily for people who are not members and must not be a community for itself. We have a mission to reach those who are outside. The church must be a compassionate, proactive community, addressing the hopes, aspirations, frustrations, sufferings and longings of everyday life."

In particular, Paulsen highlighted four areas where he expects the church in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region and worldwide to contribute more actively and visibly. Those areas are education, HIV and AIDS, violence and abuse against women and children, and civil war and unrest.

"Education in developing countries for parents who look to a better future for their children has enormous value," said Paulsen, commending Adventist education's uniqueness in offering not only sound academics and professional training, but also a perspective that values "moral and ethical integrity."

Adventists must direct considerably more focus, however, to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Africa, Paulsen observed. Responding to the staggering rate of HIV infection in South Africa, which falls second only to India, Paulsen said, "I suspect sometimes that the global community tires a bit of all this. You hear the same [statistics] so many times that somehow an element of fatigue sets in."

"God forbid," he continued, "that the church should ever tire of exploring ways [to] contribute to alleviating some of the sufferings [brought on by] this pandemic." Paulsen then called on church members to partner with governments and organizations to raise the funds, resources, and awareness necessary to combat HIV and AIDS.

Paulsen added that he expects the church's Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region to "develop a comprehensive, sustained, strong and well-communicated ministry that will train the local churches to be centers of support, hope, love and compassion for people who are suffering."

"The church is doing many good things for the community, but we've not been effective or strong in making [HIV and AIDS awareness] known to the public, or indeed making it known to the government with whom we wish to partner in addressing this issue," Paulsen remarked candidly.

Working together with social and state initiatives was a common thread Paulsen wove throughout his address. The regional headquarters' inauguration fell amid a 16-day national campaign to combat violence against women and children.

"I thank you for the challenge," Paulsen said, "but frankly, 16 days is not enough. The church has to make this issue part of its ongoing initiative in the community. We have, as a church, released a formal statement specifically addressing the reprehensible nature of abuse against women and children. But statements can easily be filed and forgotten if we don't keep articulating the issues and identifying with people in the community."

Violence in the home, Paulsen implied, is often a reflection of aggression on a national scale. "We recognize the difficulty of finding healing after extensive destruction. The church is engaged in healing, but it's a long process," said Paulsen, referring to the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Paulsen expressed particular concern over the atrocities that continue to plague Africa, most notably in Congo and Darfur.

"We don't say much, and we don't hear much, about the many more whose lives and homes have been destroyed in Congo. And at the moment we have Darfur in Sudan where a quarter of a million people have been killed and 2-3 million people are refugees living in squalor because there is no togetherness of thinking and planning or will and resolve by the international community to implement solutions," he stated.

Referencing a parable recorded in the New Testament book of Matthew, Paulsen stressed that action, not words, ought to be the benchmark of Christianity. "I suffered from HIV and AIDS, and you loved me and accepted me," Paulsen said, adding to a passage where Jesus implies genuine concern for humanity far outweighs doctrinal expertise when it comes to eternal value.

"When the cause of the poor and suffering is no longer visible on the agenda of the church," Paulsen said, "I despair at the church. Christ will hold this church accountable if we are not a compassionate voice for the needs of the poor and do what we can to alleviate their sufferings."

The inauguration of the new headquarters was laced with symbolism representing the region's unity and diversity, including a flag raising ceremony.

As a civic guest at the event, which was attended by some 300 guests from the church in South Africa and the region, Mike Seloane, African National Congress Member of the Provincial Legislature, addressed the inaugural audience. "Christ was not sectarian. He accepted and loved everybody unconditionally," Seloane said.

He pointed out that God's character is marked by unity, love, forgiveness, truth, and humility--qualities the church should strive to embody. Seloane also referred to the church's moral voice in society. That voice, he said, "is playing a leading role in providing services and programs that will deal with ethics and corporate governance. This church is known to adhere to high standards of morality."

Seloane added that "this church has to [m]ake a conscious decision to form partnerships with government and the rest of civil society [while] still reflecting the character of Christ and not compromising the 'truth.' Communities are looking forward to get[ting] restoration and hope from institutions such as churches."

Seloane, whose wife is a Seventh-day Adventist, said the new SID offices "must be offices of hope and peace. This church through this office has to look at Sub-Saharan Africa's problems, like HIV and AIDS, without being judgmental [and] restore homes through showing unconditional love to the infected individuals and families."

"This is a special day for our church on the continent of Africa, and especially its Southern part," said Paul Ratsara, SID president. The opening of SID's new headquarters drew a wide audience of regional church officials, including representatives from 23 of the region's countries and territories. Together with Ratsara, Solomon Maphosa and Jannie Bekker, regional secretary and treasurer, respectively, officiated inaugural celebrations.

Among representatives from world church headquarters were Matthew Bediako, the world church's executive secretary, Robert Lemon, its treasurer, and, Pardon Mwansa, one of the world church's vice presidents and a former leader of the region.

The Pretoria headquarters will replace SID's former offices in Harare, Zimbabwe, and will minister to a regional membership of some 2 million Adventists. The church formally established its work in the southern part of Africa in 1887 in Cape Town, which for decades hosted its regional headquarters.

According to Ratsara, the move from Harare will take place over the next few weeks. The spacious three-story complex, located in one of Pretoria's business parks, will house some 50 personnel. SID headquarters is one of three African regional church centers. Headquarters for Eastern Africa are located in Nairobi, Kenya; Abidjan, Ivory Coast hosts Western African regional offices.

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Africa: Be Participants, Not Spectators, World Church Leader Says to Young People
December 5, 2006 Cape Town, South Africa .... [Elizabeth
Lechleitner/ANN]

World Church president Pastor Jan Paulsen answers a young person's questions during Sunday's broadcast of Let's Talk South Africa. [Photos: Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

Some 50 young people from across the church's Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region met with Paulsen for the hour-long unscripted conversation.

Andre Brink, communication director for the church's Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region, directed Let's Talk South Africa, the 14th in the Let's Talk series.

Let's Talk South Africa, the 14th in a series of unscripted, unedited conversations broadcast live between Seventh-day Adventist Church world president, Pastor Jan Paulsen, and a group of young people, might well be dubbed 'Let's Get Involved.'

Continuing his commitment to "feel the pulse of the youth and young professionals of our church," Pastor Paulsen on Sunday, December 3, met in Cape Town, South Africa, with 50 Adventist young people representing 11 countries across the church's Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region.

Throughout Let's Talk South Africa, Pastor Paulsen reiterated that young people themselves are often the answer to their questions. Specifically regarding young people who have left the church, he said, "Why don't you reach out and try to talk to them? Tell them 'we miss you,' and that life is richer in the church. That is an initiative that I want to place on the shoulders of you who are young. Please minister to your own peers and your own colleagues. Encourage young people to hear each other out, because they are more likely to listen to each other. And then we as leaders have to reexamine what we do to support you in that ministry."

During the broadcast, several young people posed questions with a common premise: why world church administration is not more visibly involved in local congregations. Continuing his 'ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church' theme, Pastor Paulsen responded to a question regarding church unity with the following: "I think young people, particularly here in South Africa, because you live in such a diverse society ... are better placed than many who are older than you. So I see you have a ministry."

"I think it's very important that our churches at the local level should truly become integrated churches where you share in worship and share in leadership, and where you affirm each others' genuineness in Christ and you are blessed by the richness which we may experience in that diversity."

In answering several questions, Pastor Paulsen took the opportunity to remind young people to safeguard their personal relationships with Christ. "Don't be passive, but active in the life of the church. And be serious about looking after your spiritual life. Nobody else is going to do it if you don't; you have the primary responsibility."

Throughout the hour-long Let's Talk South Africa, audience members repeatedly questioned the church's efforts to combat HIV and AIDS. In response, Pastor Paulsen readily admitted more work could be done, but that local churches and individual members hold as much responsibility as church administration to that end. "The church must be a place of hope. It must be something people can turn to and find that the value God has placed in every human being is recognized by the church."

When some young people implied that the world church is not doing enough to regulate the behavior of church members, Pastor Paulsen made it clear that world church administration is not a micromanaging body. "You don't deal with people that way. You can minister to people, you can love people, and you can tell them about Christ and the gospel and demonstrate the richness of the Christian life to them and make an appeal to them. But at the end of the day, it's going to be [their] personal choice," he said.

Encouraging young people to make that choice is one of Pastor Paulsen's greatest hopes for the Let's Talk series. He says young Adventists are the church's future and its most important asset. "I don't believe you can build [that future] without Jesus Christ," he said during the broadcast. Paulsen urged the audience members to fully integrate themselves in the activities and initiatives of the church. "Participate in every aspect," he said, and "allow your talents, energy and creative initiative to ... flow into the life of the church."

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South Africa: Adventist World President Calls For an 'Accepting Church,' Lights Candle to Commemorate World AIDS Day

December 1, 2006 Port Elizabeth, South Africa .... [Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists greeted world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen upon his arrival in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. [Photos: Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

On the airport tarmac, Pastor Paulsen is greeted by a group of South African children and church leaders. Pastor L. M. Mbaza (center), president of the local Cape Conference, looks on.

Accompanied by world church secretary Pastor Matthew Bediako, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean regional president Pastor Paul Ratsara and other church leaders, Paulsen lights a symbolic candle to commemorate World AIDS Day.

On a day the world community recognized the challenge of HIV and AIDS, Pastor Jan Paulsen, world president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church reaffirmed the Adventist commitment "to an be active, and not a silent partner" in addressing what has become a curse for mankind.

As he arrived in Port Elizabeth, Pastor Paulsen was met by hundreds of Adventist believers and recognized World AIDS Day by lighting a symbolic candle.

Speaking at the airport, Pastor Paulsen said that HIV and AIDS "is a responsibility and challenge to find solutions, not only to South Africa, but for all humanity."

"We need to seek and find solutions in the scientific and medical area, in prevention, in training and in acceptance, within our communities, of those who are suffering."

"Our church is an active and not a silent partner in addressing the challenges of HIV and AIDS," Pastor Paulsen said. "We do what should be done in any community to prevent the spread of this curse. We do it also in training churches to be accepting of those who are suffering."

He said that "a church is where people come to be accepted, to be loved, and to have their human dignity recognized. We also come to church to find ... the future. The church must love them. The church must be supportive, positive, loving and accepting." He sees the church as an "active partner of this important ministry on Christ's behalf."

This is Pastor Paulsen's second visit to Port Elizabeth. In 1991, as chairman of a Commission on South Africa set up by the church's General Conference, he participated in a consultation with church members about merging two unions, restructuring them into one administrative unit for the country.

"We did that," Pastor Paulsen stated. "At that time it was a big step forward and it was a signal. But there are still more things to be done. We have still some distance to go and we have not completed the task as a church."

In a statement to the media, the world church president said, "the path toward unity in South Africa has not been easy. But it is a course that has been undertaken with courage and determination--with an undaunted belief in a better future for the children of your country. On behalf of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church, I want to express my admiration and support for those, both within the government and the private sector, who are leaders in this cause."

"As we look around the world today we clearly see how hate and intolerance lead to violence and destruction. As a church, we believe that it is only by recognizing the dignity and worth of every human being that we can hope to build more peaceful communities," Pastor Paulsen added. He also stated "the Adventist Church is committed to working for peace and reconciliation by promoting tolerance and respect for fundamental human rights. I pray that the Adventist Church in South Africa will be a partner in this, that it will do all it can to foster harmony and understanding, and that it will be an instrument of reconciliation and healing within society."

Pastor Paulsen recalled that his first visit to South Africa was just after Nelson Mandela was freed from his imprisonment and a few years later became the country's president. Paulsen recognized Mandela as "an outstanding leader and symbol for integrity and morality in leadership not only for South Africa, but also for the world," and commended South Africa for the steps taken forward in the last 15 years by Nelson Mandela and his successor, President Thabo Mbeki. Paulsen commended the developments in South Africa where today its citizens "experience self-realization and honor equality of humanity."

He also referred to steps taken in South Africa toward eradication of violence. He commended the nation for "marking the importance of eradicating violence on the streets in the city, but also violence in the homes, as well as violence against women and the children. This we must never be tired of. Children and women are vulnerable in society, not only in South Africa, but also around the world. They need our special care and protection."

"I want to commend the state for the initiatives profiling these needs. I want to state this to the representatives of the public, and to our church members--we are talking about [issues] that are core values to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and we will do our best in expressing support for these matters, and combating these ills of mankind," Pastor Paulsen concluded.

The South Africa itinerary for Pastor Paulsen includes participating in a spiritual convocation in Port Elizabeth on Sabbath, Dec. 2, and, in Pretoria on Dec. 4, opening the newly built headquarters for the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, one of the world church's 13 geographical regions. On Sunday, Dec. 3, he will have the opportunity to participate in a "Let's Talk" conversation with a group of young church members from across Southern Africa, which will be broadcast live by satellite throughout Africa and Europe.

On his visit to South Africa Pastor Paulsen was hosted by Pastor L. M. Mbaza, president of the local Cape Conference. He was also accompanied by world church secretary, Pastor Matthew Bediako, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean regional president, Pastor Paul Ratsara and Francois Louw, president of the Southern Africa Union.

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Huambo: Over 100 Adventist Church Members Get HIV/AIDS Training - 20 November 2006
Taken from Angola Press at http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=487563 Also published in All Africa newsletter at http://allafrica.com/stories/200611131259.html

Huambo, 11/13 - Some 125 Adventist Churches believers selected from Angola`s 18 provinces are attending as from Monday a seminar for trainers against Hiv/Aids within the communities in central Huambo province.

The five-day event, promoted by the International Adventist Ministry on Hiv/Aids (AAIM), aims at backing Angolan government`s efforts to reduce the disease in the country.

The meeting, being run by specialists from Washington (USA) and the Philippines, is analysing the prevalence and damage caused by Hiv/Aids, ways of transmission and prevention, the combat of stigma and strategies to assist Hiv/Aids affected and infected persons, mainly orphans, widows and youths.

After the meeting, AAIM will outline a plan of action to run similar training programmes in several other localities of Angola, under the Adventist Church.

On the occasion, Adventist Church Health director for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean division, Aléxis LLaguno, spoke out for the need for hard work in Angola, including fight against the disease.

Angola`s statistics show the country has a low prevalence of infections, estimated at 5 percent. The source said that more and more effort is needed, is as the pandemics can seriously affect the country, should the current five percent jump to 20.

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Africa: Adventist Ministry Mends Lives, Empowers Women
November 28, 2006 Maseru, Lesotho .... [Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN]
Taken from also
http://news.adventist.org/data/2006/10/1164745281/index.html.en
available from
http://www.puconline.org/index.php?option=com_na_newsdescription&task=show&groupId=14515_1&newsid=16609

Along with other AIDS-stricken women in Lesotho, Maseeng joined a sewing seminar run by the Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM), where she found support and regained self-sufficiency. [Photos: Hans Olson/Adventist Mission/ANN]

Young women in AAIM's sewing seminar display their work.

AAIM directors Oscar and Eugenia Giordano, both medical doctors, are committed to stamping out not only the physical symptoms of HIV, but also the prejudiced attitudes many in both secular and religious communities project toward those infected.

Despite sweeping efforts by both government and private organizations to step up AIDS education, prevention and treatment around the globe, many AIDS' sufferers continue to combat not only the disease's ravages, but also the scorn and alienation of neighbors, friends, and even family.

Ostracized by her community, weakened, and severely depressed, Maseeng, a Lesothoan elementary school teacher, led a life unraveled by AIDS. But then she joined a sewing seminar run by the Seventh-day Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM).

Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, AAIM was organized three years ago to combat AIDS, which claims the lives of 12 Adventist church members daily. Since then, AAIM has reached 14 African countries, says Eugenia Giordano, the ministry's associate director. The sewing seminar Maseeng joined is one of AAIM's many income-generating seminars created to help those infected with HIV regain self-sufficiency.

AAIM particularly focuses on caring for AIDS orphans and women, who--according to recent World Health Organization (WHO) statistics--are biologically, socially and economically more susceptible to HIV infection than men. In sub-Saharan Africa, WHO reports indicate, young women are 6 times more likely to contract the HIV virus than men.

At the sewing seminar, Giordano reports Maseeng's healing process began with smiles and supportive friendship. "Maseeng [found] people [who] were loving and caring. [She] was not alone anymore. She had a new group of friends--people [who] were in the same situation that she was in. People [who] understood her, [who] did not judge her, and [who] cared for her."

But Maseeng is only one out of the estimated 40 million people suffering from AIDS around the world. And a November United Nations report states "the [AIDS] epidemic is growing in all areas of the world, with worrisome signs of resurgence in some countries that were trumpeted as successes in combating the disease, like Uganda and Thailand." Battling AIDS worldwide remains one of the UN's most challenging Millennium Development Goals.

"We are aware that in the midst of this epidemi