Sending hope to a town without it
by Heidi Heater, a sophomore from Jackson, Ky.
WILMORE, KY— Loneliness. Fear. Isolation. Death. Words commonly linked with AIDS. Partnering with World Vision, Asbury College is sending a new message to AIDS victims in Themba, Swaziland—a message of hope. 
More than 40 percent of Swaziland’s population have tested positively for AIDS, but thousands of others unknowingly carry the disease. Of the 3,250 residents in Themba, more than 400 are children orphaned by AIDS. This number is likely to double because of this disease.
AIDS has diminished the country’s work force; therefore, children have no one to provide for their physical or educational needs. The citizens have not been educated on the causes of AIDS and are spreading the pandemic.
Acting on AIDS is a student-run organization, serving as a satellite program of World Vision. Asbury College’s branch has a mission to raise $15,000 by the end of this year to establish home-care networks for people living with AIDS and to provide children with primary and secondary education.
In Africa, it is impossible to attend school without a school uniform. Parents living with AIDS have no money for uniforms; therefore, their children remain uneducated. AIDS victims are left alone because no one wants to associate with them for fear of catching the disease. The home-care networks will provide comfort and dignity for those in the final hours of life. The money raised will purchase uniforms for these children and offer support for people with this disease.
Senior Megan Steinsdoerfer, event coordinator for the Asbury College chapter of Acting on AIDS, said, “The goals of Acting on AIDS are to change hearts on our campus, create awareness in our community, and advocate for the most innocent victims of HIV/AIDS around the world.” Steinsdoerfer said that they hoped to lead the college generation in a movement inspired by God’s command to look after the helpless in their distress.
David Braddy, president of Acting on AIDS, described how the church should provide hope, care and love for AIDS patients throughout the duration of their lives, instead of abandoning them. “We are the hope of the world,” he said.
Acting on AIDS at Asbury College has raised money to assist AIDS victims through the homecoming concert, fall revival offering and partnering with IMPACT, a campus service organization, to do odd jobs for professors in exchange for donations. They are currently half way to their $15,000 goal.
Caitlin Woodward, a senior media communications major, feels that it is important that everyone become aware of the AIDS pandemic. “AIDS is a world issue that’s impacting our brothers and sisters in Africa, but also here. It’d be like not knowing there is a war in Iraq to not know there is an AIDS pandemic,” she said.
Woodward noted that since the Bluegrass area is the second most affected by AIDS in Kentucky, it is important to reach our next-door neighbors, as well as those overseas.
AIDS paralyzes a country because it affects all of life. Young people are not taught their roots or their cultural values, creating societal problems. AIDS leaves its victims and its country hopeless. This group hopes to affect change in Themba, Swaziland.
Ironically, Themba means hope. However, with the highest numbers of AIDS in the world, the country’s fate might seem hopeless. But as it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” Asbury College students desire to do just that.
If you would like to become involved in this ministry or would like more information, e-mail david.braddy@asbury.edu. Acting on AIDS would like to incorporate people of all ages and interests in the ministry.
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Tagged: features, acting-on-aids and swaziland
