Encouraging message for
people affected by HIV/AIDS

BURUNDI — As you drive into the compound in Bujumbura occupied by the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA), you see immediately that people are reaching out to others. There are information posters everywhere, people are gathering and you hear laughter and chatter even early in the morning. The atmosphere is positive and full of energy.

People have gathered for devotions. Juliette Bayubahe, a social assistant, is leading. They read from Scripture and pray. “This happens every morning,” she explains. “I use the material from Where is the Good Samaritan Today? and Living in Hope. It is a great help to me because the message is positive and these people need encouragement.

Share our burden

“By coming together we share our burden with one another and are then encouraged by the message from the Bible. We can recommit our lives to God.”

She explains how SWAA operates. “We have a National Coordinator for Burundi and eight areas, each with an Area Coordinator. We do voluntary testing and counselling and dispense anti-retroviral medication. We focus heavily on prevention work. We try to change people’s behaviour by teaching the ABC: Abstain, Be faithful and use a Condom. We use material from the Bible Society, especially the Good Samaritan outreach package. It is practical, well structured and very simple to understand. People enjoy it.

Direct approach

“When we focus on behaviour change we have a very direct approach to people who have been infected. We teach them to follow the doctors’ orders when using anti-retroviral drugs, not to infect other people and to follow God’s Word. A very simple message, but extremely important otherwise nobody will survive.”

Baselisse Ndayisaba (40), the SWAA Area Coordinator for Bujumbura, explains that rates of HIV/AIDS infection are particularly high in semi-urban parts of the country.

“During the war, which lasted for 10 years, soldiers came from outside the cities and returned there at weekends or when they were on leave. Couples were separated. Men and women alike had needs! So a lot of people became infected and continued to spread the disease. Poverty also led to an increase in prostitution, and don’t forget about the displacement of people. They are now returning to their homes and they bring with them different ailments.

“Around 30 people are tested daily at this clinic, four days a week. Between four and five people test positive each day. We counsel them, supply them with medication and in many cases provide for the orphans after the parents have died. This work is emotionally draining, but God keeps us strong. God’s grace is carrying us as we continue to serve the people in Burundi.”

This report refers to projects 73103 and 73112. (WR 403/5 - 07.06) [2 photos]