Working to bring hope where it is scarce

Miracle Gumbo, aged four, lost his mother to AIDS and is being brought up by his father who works as a handyman. Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo: UBS Southern Africa RSC/Francois Sieberhagen (ZIM04DJ-4.JPG)

HARARE, Zimbabwe — “AIDS is wreaking havoc in our country and devastating many thousands of families,” says Edward Mutema, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe.

An enormous catastrophe is indeed unfolding in Zimbabwe, where it is estimated that more than 200,000 people are dying of AIDS-related illnesses each year. And that is not to mention the 2.3 million Zimbabweans who are infected with HIV. After Botswana, Zimbabwe has the world’s highest infection rate, with one in every four people HIV-positive.

The consequences of this pandemic are wide- reaching, affecting every aspect of life. In 2001, there were more than 780,000 AIDS orphans, and the figure is rising daily. Sadly, many of these children, already traumatised by the death of their parents, are at risk of falling victim to the same disease themselves: with no parental income they can no longer attend school, which in many cases is the only place they are taught how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS.

Devoted staff

Brandon Chinyanga, aged two, has lost both his parents to AIDS and lives in the Harare Children's Home. Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo: UBS Southern Africa RSC/Francois Sieberhagen (ZIM04DJ-1.JPG)

Two-year-old Brandon Chinyanga has lost both his parents to AIDS and now lives in the Harare Children’s Home, where he and many other AIDS orphans are cared for by devoted staff. The Bible Society feels that it is vital that children like Brandon have access to the guidance and love found in the Bible at this crucial stage in their lives.

“We have a Children’s Bible, which is being used, but we need more audio material to bring the Gospel to these vulnerable children,” says Mr Mutema. “In the midst of their difficult circumstances they need to learn and understand that God cares for them.”

The Society is also concerned about helping single parents whose spouses have died of AIDS. Miracle Gumbo is four years old and lost his mother to the disease six months ago. His father is a handyman and is now solely responsible for bringing up his young son, whom he takes with him to work every day.
“We must help the surviving parents to carry on with their lives and be good role models for their children,” comments Mr Mutema.

Two languages

The Bible Society is helping to address the problems caused by HIV/AIDS through the Scripture Portion, Living in Hope, which was originally published by the Bible Society of South Africa in 1999 and which has since been translated and published by many other African Bible Societies. In Zimbabwe it is available in the two main languages of Shona and Ndebele. The audio version was recorded in both languages in January in co-operation with TransWorld Radio – an exciting development for the Society, according to Mr Mutema.

“Using the facilities of TransWorld Radio has opened up opportunities for collaboration in future projects, which will allow us to embark on more media programs,” he explains.

Last month the Society launched the new audio Scriptures along with a video, Where is the Good Samaritan Today? – an educational drama, produced by UBS and based on the booklet written by Konstanse Raen, a Regional Secretary of the Norwegian Bible Society (see World Report 378/3a and 378/3b for previous stories about her work with AIDS in Rwanda), together with UBS regional staff based in Nairobi. The video is designed to help the Church teach about the prevention of HIV/AIDS and how to care for those infected or affected by it. It is available in English and is currently being dubbed into French. There are also plans to record it in vernacular languages, depending on demand.