HIV and AIDS Worldwide
The Greatest Humanitarian Crisis of Our Time
HIV and AIDS CrisisThe Statistics
25 million people worldwide have died from AIDS-related causes, and more than 38 million are currently infected
15.2 million children under age 17 are orphans due to HIV/AIDS-related causes
More than 90% of those living with HIV/AIDS are in developing countries
HIV and AIDS: the effect on childrenA Generation to Save
Parents are sick or dying and can’t work to care for their children
Children must leave school to care for their family’s needs–and orphans must fend for themselves
Grandparents often care for a dozen or more orphaned grandchildren
HIV-positive mothers unknowingly pass the virus to their newborn or breast-feeding children
Orphans at Risk in Uganda
Juliet, 12, and five orphans live on their own
(Her father died of AIDS in 1998; her mother died in 2003)
Juliet weeds cassava for her neighbor in order to pay for school supplies; the headmaster sends her home when she can’t pay for paper
Her brother and sister already dropped out of school
If they can’t stay in school, girls like Juliet are vulnerable to sexual abuse and early marriages
Orphans at Risk in Guatemala
Cornelia is a 71-year-old grandmother who is now the sole parent for her three grandchildren, after her son and daughter-in-law died of AIDS
She is too exhausted to do more than make sure the children have food and a place to sleep
Her granddaughter was forced to leave school and take a job as a maid at age 14
Faith in ActionGod’s Word Speaks
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphan and widows in their distress…” – James 1:27a
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:9b-10
A Christian ResponseTo the HIV/AIDS Crisis
The power of the church: United in a response motivated
by God’s love for all people A trusted part of communities
ravaged by AIDS Has the authority to speak on
behavioral issues to prevent the spread of HIV
“This can be a golden moment for Christians. Who better to offer comfort to the dying, to care for the orphans and widows? Who better to bring hope to the hopeless?”
– Rich Stearns, President, World Vision
You Can Turn the Tide Towards Hope
Pray for God’s care and protection for orphans, widows, and families overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS
Become informed about the facts of the crisis—and share your knowledge
Commit to action by engaging your congregation in a project to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS through your denomination or a Christian charity
World VisionHow Are We Responding?
The Hope InitiativeWorld Vision’s commitment to save a generation by turning the tide against HIV/AIDS worldwide
Care for the needs of orphans, widows, vulnerable children, and their caregivers: food, healthcare, schooling, nurturing
Prevent new HIV infections through effective education based on biblical principles of abstinence and marital faithfulness
World VisionUniquely Positioned to Respond
A global presence in nearly 100 countries, including 17 of those most severely affected by HIV/AIDS
More than 10 years of AIDS programs in Uganda:
HIV infection rates reduced; graduation rates increased
Partnering with the local church, private organizations, and governments to help AIDS-affected communities
Efficient use of donated funds: 84 cents of every dollar goes directly to help