The AIDS Program at Four Years

Moravian Church Western Tanzania The Moravian- July/August 2006

The AIDS program in Sikonge, Western Tanzania, is now four years old. Begun by the Moravian Church of Western Tanzania (MCWT) in partnership with the Board of World Mission (BWM) in 2001, it consists of three components: prevention, care of those already HIV positive, and orphan assistance.

Prevention begins with VCT (voluntary counseling and testing), the only modality shown repeatedly to change the high-risk behavior leading to HIV transmission. Testing is done only after informed consent is given. A trained AIDS counselor then explains the results and its implication in a private consultation. The ABC’s of prevention (Abstinence of sexual activity before marriage, Being faithful to one spouse in marriage, and using a Condom correctly if A & B have failed) are emphasized to those who are HIV negative. People who are HIV positive are told of the importance of good nutrition, adequate rest, and immediate treatment of even minor infections.

In 2004, 7,700 people participated in VCT at the Sikonge Moravian Hospital (SMH) and the five Moravian dispensaries. This number is now closer to 10,000 due to the recent addition of six non-Moravian facilities. Ten percent were HIV positive, including 251 prenatals, each of whom was offered free Viramune to prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV during delivery.

There is still no AIDS treatment available in the Western Province, but this may change by the end of the year. Using funding provided by debit relief, Tanzania is buying anti-retroviral medication from India and will provide it free of charge to institutions with AIDS programs.

The orphan assistance program is now three years old. It provides the children, all of whom live in extended families, with food, clothing, medical care, school uniforms and supplies, and personal items such as soap and a sleeping mat. Because 100% of all funds for the AIDS program are spent by Tanzanians for Tanzanians, the program is able to provide for nearly 1,500 children at a cost of less than $15 per child per year.

For the past 10 months, using a special fund provided by a ladies group at Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, orphans who have passed the government’s secondary school entrance exam have been given full scholarships to continue their education. There are currently 14 children enrolled in this program. Central Moravian Church has also given support to a vocational school in Sikonge. In return, the school accepts a limited number of orphans for free training in sewing, woodworking, or computer use.

Although begun as a partnership between MCWT and BWM, the AIDS program is run entirely by Tanzanians affiliated with the Moravian Church. Their dedication to the church and their community has resulted in these remarkable achievements of which all Moravians can be very proud.

Dr. William Hoffman, along with his wife, Dr. Margaret Kraybill Hoffman, voluntarily give leadership to the HIV/AIDS ministries in Tanzania. Members of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, they make several trips each year to Tanzania to assist in continuing and growing the programs that are in place which are run by Tanzanians affiliated with the Moravian Church.