October 17, 2007

HIV/AIDS - Up close and personal

Friends,

As I was going out the door this morning my mother asked what was happening in school today. I told her “our class is going to a workshop on HIV/AIDS at the YMCA with other students from schools in Delhi.”  She didn’t seem at ease with the idea. We talked a bit more. Before I left she hesitatingly said, “I’m glad my daughter is facing the issues.”
- An eleventh-grade student

The reality of HIV/AIDS emerged late in India and remains a sensitive issue throughout the world’s largest democracy. India is changing fast, and although surveys show a majority favor some form of sex education being taught in school to older students, exactly what is taught and how it is taught isn’t so clear. Sound familiar?

After collecting better data and revising how HIV/AIDS cases are reported in India, the number of reported cases went down in July. Monitoring of cases started late in India; yet India is third globally in the number of reported cases, behind South Africa and Nigeria.

What’s the church’s role?  How does a minority community begin to address the sensitive issues surrounding this epidemic?  Why not start with the youth?  Of India’s 1.1 billion people 50 percent are under the age of 25! A good place for the church to make a dent would be in the schools. Of course, church-run schools educate Hindus, Muslims, and Jains, as well as Christians. And there is no less sensitivity about issues related to HIV/AIDS in any of the faith communities.

The purpose of the event was to provide a context to train bright young students, then send them back into their schools with hard facts, practical advice, and straight talk.

Thankfully, the Church of North India’s Synodical Board of Health Services has seldom shied away from the issues that confront health, wholeness, and life. On October 10, the Board of Health Services hosted their annual AIDS Teen Peer Educators Training Programme for upper class students from eight schools in Delhi. This year they were joined by teachers and trainers from Pakistan. When the peer training program first started, there was reluctance from some of the Christian schools to send their students. This year Heinz Auditorium at the “Y” was crowded, including media.

The chief guest was a handsome young male TV actor from Delhi. Other guests included a Protestant bishop from a religious order, an HIV-positive woman from a rural area, along with a few other guests, including David.

After opening remarks one of the guests who has been HIV positive for 14 years shared her story. Coming from rural northeast India and being infected with HIV through her husband had taken her through the fires. She spoke to these bright young kids from diverse faith backgrounds as a witness to God’s grace, and as an example of hope.

These girls didn’t avoid the controversial issues!

When it was time to get down to basics, six female students from one school took center stage. Equipped with a Powerpoint presentation and hands-on demonstrations, they taught how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how it can be stopped. These young women neither skirted the realities nor glossed over controversial issues, presenting options for abstinence and use of condoms. The other students were no less bashful, raising pointed questions, debating answers, and disagreeing. Bold, feisty, animated and articulate, the girls were remarkable. Even when the power went out twice, they kept right on talking!

Towards the end of their presentation, the young TV actor sitting next to David leaned over and whispered, “I was prepared to be bored.” The event was anything but boring. It was quite encouraging to experience the Christian community in the forefront of creating a safe space for young people to talk openly about an issue that is not going away. The number of people infected each day still outpaces the number of people beginning treatment. We are encouraged our partners in mission here in India are stepping up to the plate. They’re making a difference.

Prayer concerns

• December 1 is World AIDS Day. Remember the ongoing witness of our partner church through their program called “PUKAAR HAMMARI AAWAAZ” (Pass on Useful Knowledge About AIDS Removal – Our Voice). They reach out to all levels of society by using mediums such as drama and skits.
• For our sisters and brothers in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. At this time each of these countries is experiencing significant political instability.
• For the witness and ministry of our minority partners in such challenging contexts.

Thankful for your prayers and support, we remain,

In Christ’s Service

David, Sue and Mary Hudson
New Delhi, India