Faith-Based Organizations in Anti-HIV/AIDS Work Among African Youth and Women
Author(s)
Chikwendu, Eudora
Abstract
This paper examines the successful strategies of religious/faith based organizations (FBOs) in the safe delivery of drugs to the AIDS sufferers, especially youth and women in Africa. The FBOs are part of the world-wide phenomenon of the huge number of non-governmental organizations which are a powerful force in the effort to contain the AIDS epidemic. This paper focuses on the care provided by religious organizations due to: (1) the deeply religious and spiritual orientations of Africans, most of whose lives are touched by religion; and (2) because of the tremendous physical and financial resources and capacity for service provision of FBOs at the ordinary person’s level. I will critique aspects of the earlier resistance of religious communities in discussing safe sex, and the initial loss of opportunity in reaching out and gaining trust. Religious organizations are now in the forefront of advocacy for AIDS patients world-wide and are applying for public and private funds for disbursement at the community level.
