Democratic Republic of the Congo

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In 2003, the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa (CPK) began a massive campaign throughout the church, funded in large part by PC(USA) and the Medical Benevolence Foundation, to train people about AIDS, promote testing, and encourage discussion on HIV/AIDS at the local church level. The program is now reaping results.

“People are starting to come forward to be tested,” writes Caryl. “People are beginning to be more aware of AIDS in their midst, looking realistically at the causes and consequences of AIDS. People who are HIV-positive have started coming forward as well—not to speak publicly about AIDS, but because they are in great need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And they are finally beginning to see the church as a place where those needs are met. The CPK wanted to break the silence around HIV/AIDS, and it has made a good start. The challenge for the church now is to continue the discussions about AIDS, but at the same time to respond concretely to the many needs it is facing.”

The CPK is responding to family needs through a micro-loan project organized by its women’s department. This consists of twelve income-generation groups of six women each. The groups are made up of women with HIV/AIDS, some of whom are widows, as well as healthy women who have no means to feed and educate their families. The women feel this project addresses a need caused by AIDS—poverty—and at the same time provides a way to prevent AIDS—through giving women a means to earn income for their families.