By the Rev Francois Sieberhagen, UBS Africa Area Media Consultant

CONGO, Democratic Republic — Bienvenu Masigende, Program Manager of the Bible Society of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was looking for a business that could help the Society reproduce its HIV/AIDS material.

“Have you been to the Minister of Health with your material?” asked Gabriel Shabani, former record producer and now head of CongoWeb TV.

Mr Masigende had not been to see the minister, so the influential Mr Shabani picked up the telephone and within moments an appointment had been arranged. Congo’s Minister of Health, Professor Emile Bongeli, would meet a delegation from the Bible Society the following day.

At the meeting the Rev Christophe Kongo Kote, the Bible Society General Secretary, presented copies of all the available HIV/AIDS material to the Minister, who seemed extremely interested.

Looking through the material, he commented, “I like the way you combine science and the Bible – and the way you address the issue of condoms is interesting. We must realise that a lot of people who are infected with HIV are outside the Church. It is the responsibility of the Churches to bring people closer and to educate them about abstinence and fidelity. The church must also speak about condoms.”

He liked partnerships between the government and Churches or Christian organisations, he added, “because they make sure that help reaches the intended audiences.”

It was then that Mr Shabani started to explain his interest in setting up the meeting.

“I would like to air these programmes, free of charge, on CongoWeb TV,” he said. “I believe the quality is good, the message is relevant and people will enjoy watching it. Together – if we all contribute – we can make a difference.”

When the delegation left the meeting the Minister had promised to sign a document recognising the Bible Society as an organisation that is helping to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. In practical terms, this will ensure that the Society qualifies for funding from the government for some of its HIV/AIDS programs.