Presenting group work at a Where is the Good
Samaritan Today? training workshop in Tanzania
[photo: BS Tanzania WR412/2 TAN07DJ-6]
AFRICA — HIV/AIDS does not respect geographical or social boundaries. From east to west, from north to south, it sweeps through communities of both rich and poor, young and old. Everywhere it is found, there is physical, psychological and economic suffering. The impact of HIV/ AIDS has been particularly harsh in Africa, where in many countries it has left the very young and the very old with the burden of caring for families and earning a living. Overwhelmed by the scale of the problem and lacking sufficient funds, governments have been slow to respond.
It is against this background of challenge and opportunity that the United Bible Societies’ Where is the Good Samaritan Today? HIV/AIDS awareness program has evolved rapidly over the last few years. From modest beginnings, Konstanse Raen, now the UBS HIV/AIDS Consultant, and her various partners have developed a rounded package of Bible-based materials designed to teach people of all backgrounds and educational levels values that will help them to avoid HIV infection and to support those already infected or affected.
Performing drama at the Where is the Good Samaritan
Today? training workshop [photo: BS Tanzania WR412/2
TAN07DJ-7]
Spread rapidly
Like the infection it is designed to combat, the Good Samaritan program has spread rapidly from country to country across Africa. Governments, schools, Churches and charities alike have welcomed its practical and accessible approach to promoting values and actions that will protect individuals and whole communities from escalating infection rates. And through workshops, training sessions and individual instruction, the package is making its way into the heart of the communities where it is so urgently needed.
Prejudices
In Tanzania, for example, the Bible Society has engaged the support of the Churches to use the Good Samaritan package to challenge people’s prejudices about HIV/AIDS and to present a Bible-based educational message. A series of workshops is being held across the country throughout the year at which various items from the Good Samaritan package – translated into Swahili – are presented and their use explained to participants who then take them into their own communities. Particular emphasis is placed on encouraging young people to undergo voluntary counselling and testing. Active involvement is encouraged: many workshop participants find themselves acting out the parable of the Good Samaritan!
Participants at the Where is the Good Samaritan Today?
training workshop [photo: BS Tanzania WR412/2 TAN07DJ-5]
‘Come and see’
On the other side of the continent, Congo (Republic) is set to become one of the next countries to which the Good Samaritan package will spread. On a recent visit there, Mrs Raen sowed seeds among Church leaders and representatives of HIV/AIDS organisations and the Comité national de lutte contre le sida (the National AIDS Prevention Committee) at a conference organised by the Bible Society. Following a sketch about HIV/AIDS presented by members of the Bible Society’s Viens et Vois (‘Come and See’) group for blind and visually impaired people, Mrs Raen challenged members of the audience to find Congo’s own ‘Good Samaritans’.
Vital information
“The package does not claim to be exhaustive,” she told them. “However, it aims to provide vital information about HIV/ AIDS alongside relevant Bible passages. Using a participative approach, it provides the tools to fight effectively against HIV/ AIDS through the development of strong values. It should be possible to translate the Good Samaritan materials into local languages in order to reach as many people as possible.” Drawing the conference to a close, Bible Society General Secretary Etienne Diatha called on the Church leaders present to support the Bible Society’s efforts to make the necessary preparations to launch the Good Samaritan program in January 2008.
There is extensive coverage in previous editions of World Report of the spread of the Good Samaritan program across Africa. See www.biblesociety.org
(WR 412/2 - 06.07)[3 photos]