Asnakech Fanta praying before revealing her
HIV-positive status [photo: UBS/Francois
Sieberhagen WR411/2 ETH07DJ-9]
Articles by the Rev Dr Francois Sieberhagen, UBS Media Consultant
ETHIOPIA — The United Bible Societies’ (UBS) Where is the Good Samaritan Today? HIV/AIDS outreach program has taken firm root in Ethiopia since it was launched there two years ago. One of the places where many people have become involved in this initiative is Dire Dawa, the country’s second-largest city.
When Norwegian missionaries Brigt and Ingun Øystese began working in Dire Dawa almost three years ago, they were challenged by UBS HIV/ AIDS Consultant Konstanse Raen to run the Good Samaritan program. They responded to the challenge and now have a network of 24 volunteer trainers. More than 700 people from different denominations have attended training workshops.
Normal life
One of the volunteers is 42- year-old Asnakech Fanta, who is HIV-positive herself. “I discovered that I am HIVpositive about three years ago,” she explains. “I have lost two children. Thanks to antiretroviral drugs, I am living a normal life at the moment.” It is clear that the Good Samaritan program has made a significant impact on her life. “Through the training sessions, I became aware of what love and respect really are. This program teaches these values so clearly and changed my attitude towards myself and towards other people. It raises people’s awareness and helps to break down stigma. I don’t fear discrimination any more.” After telling her story at several Good Samaritan workshops, Mrs Fanta eventually felt courageous enough to disclose her status to the congregation of the church she attends, Meserete Kristos.
Eternal life
“I’m living with the
virus in my body,
but I’m not sad”
“I’m living with the virus in
my body, but I’m not sad,” she
declared from the front of the
church. “I’m happy to give my
testimony today.
“I know that one day I will
die. Then my body will be buried
and the virus will be under
the soil, but my soul will go to
heaven and I will have eternal
life with my Lord.”
Having listened in silence,
the congregation then erupted
into shouts of “Amen” and “Hallelujah,”
touched by her strength
and courage.
This church has already run
the Good Samaritan program
and its members therefore have a
good awareness of issues relating
to HIV/AIDS, but their
hearts were deeply touched by
hearing this personal testimony
and their response was one of
acceptance and support. As
she returned to her seat, Mrs
Fanta was clapped for her
bravery.
This is one of the great
benefits of running the Good
Samaritan program within
congregations, explains Mr
Øystese.
“We have seen over and
over again that hearing the
teaching of the Good Samaritan
program encourages
churches to talk about the
issues more openly and to
reach out to those affected
and infected by HIV/AIDS,”
he says.
virus in my body,
but I’m not sad”
A report about the launch of the Where is the Good Samaritan Today? program in Ethiopia can be found in World Report 396/13.
This report refers to project 75727. (WR 411/2 - 05.07) [4 photos]
Good Samaritan program goes from strength to strength
The United Bible Societies’ Where is the Good Samaritan Today? HIV/AIDS outreach program is now running in around 20 African countries. A further 10 Bible Societies are preparing to implement the program when funding becomes available. Delegates from 24 Bible Societies, both those which are running Good Samaritan programs and those which are funding them, met recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to hold a second workshop to evaluate progress so far (the first evaluation workshop was held in Kenya in February 2006). Participants discussed issues including developments since last year, project reporting and the need for ongoing training of national co-ordinators and General Secretaries as the program continues to expand rapidly. Among those present was Luc Gnowa, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Cameroon, who summed up the impact of the program in his country. “We have done more in three years than the state could have done in 10 years,” he stated. “The government has acknowledged this fact. However, we need further support to be able to make more impact.”
Further information can be found at www.ubsgoodsamaritan.org
The United Bible Societies’ Where is the Good Samaritan Today? HIV/AIDS outreach program is now running in around 20 African countries. A further 10 Bible Societies are preparing to implement the program when funding becomes available. Delegates from 24 Bible Societies, both those which are running Good Samaritan programs and those which are funding them, met recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to hold a second workshop to evaluate progress so far (the first evaluation workshop was held in Kenya in February 2006). Participants discussed issues including developments since last year, project reporting and the need for ongoing training of national co-ordinators and General Secretaries as the program continues to expand rapidly. Among those present was Luc Gnowa, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Cameroon, who summed up the impact of the program in his country. “We have done more in three years than the state could have done in 10 years,” he stated. “The government has acknowledged this fact. However, we need further support to be able to make more impact.”
Further information can be found at www.ubsgoodsamaritan.org