News Briefs: August 3, 2006
Lutherans Attend AIDS conference
CLWR is sponsoring four people to attend the Sixteenth International AIDS Conference in Toronto, August 13-18, 2006. HIV/AIDS was first identified 25 years ago, and has since become a major pandemic in developing countries. The conference theme is Time to Deliver, and will focus on the promises and progress made to scale-up treatment, care and prevention.
An estimated 20,000 participants including scientists, health care providers, political, community and business leaders, journalists, government, non-governmental and intergovernmental representatives, and people living with HIV/AIDS are expected to attend. The keynote address will be delivered by Bill and Melinda Gates, co-chairs of the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation.
CLWR integrates HIV/AIDS education and care into its international projects. Hunger and HIV/AIDS are linked, with ninety-five percent of HIV/AIDS victims residing in areas where malnutrition is high. Proper education on disease prevention, as well as providing medical care and comfort, are an integral part in creating healthy communities.
CLWR is sponsoring Jennifer Elizabeth Moyo – HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Zambia Christian Refugee Service; Regina Wamusse, HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Lutheran World Federation – Department for World Service, Mozambique; Christopher Singh, Administrator/Coordinator HIV/AIDS Programs, National Lutheran Health and Medical Board, India; and Sheila Shyamprasad, HIV/AIDS Consultant, Lutheran World Federation – Geneva.
For conference information, visit aids2006.org
- CLWR News Service, with information from aids2006.org
Shipment of goods received in Jerusalem
Lutheran World Federation – Jerusalem Program has received the latest shipment of goods from CLWR. Distribution is expected to continue over the next few months, with many of the kits issued at the beginning of the school year. Donated goods will benefit residents in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Items are distributed to orphanages, refugee camps and villages where the need is the greatest. A significant quantity of goods is being reserved in the hope that a window of opportunity will open to make a delivery into Gaza. “We’re hoping to be able to get certain items through to Gaza, but we don’t know just yet how quickly that will be possible,” says Rev. Mark B. Brown, LWF-Jerusalem Regional Representative.
A senior’s home in Jerusalem has already benefited from the delivery, having received blankets, quilts, soap and health kits. The director of the home writes, “Your commitment to helping alleviate and improve the lives of the residents of the Home in our community is sincerely appreciated.... You are considered a missionary agent of change in this world where so many elderly are uncared for and neglected.”
- CLWR News Service
Tsunami recovery continues in India
Despite the outbreak of an infectious viral fever in a neighbouring district, the Indians of Ayyampettai village are optimistic as 27 homes have been completed through the assistance of Lutheran World Service – India. Ayyampettai, as well as Cuddalore, Villupuram and Nagapattinam, are on alert for signs of the virus in their communities.
LWS – India reports that 236 houses are completely built or nearly finished. Several dozen additional homes are in the early stages of construction, with LWS – India committed to raising hundreds of houses in total. Some delays have been caused through labour shortage and because of issues with existing contractors. Projects operated by LWS are carefully monitored to ensure resources are used in an efficient and appropriate manner. Indian district officials are expressing their satisfaction at the quality of construction overseen by LWS.
The tsunami relief work spreads beyond housing. LWF educates and trains communities in disaster preparedness and environmental rehabilitation. And in Thirumallaivasal, 10 members of livelihood assisted groups opened bank accounts.
CLWR works closely with LWS – India under the umbrella of Lutheran World Federation, and has accepted donations on behalf of tsunami victims since the catastrophe occurred December 26, 2004. To date, CLWR has received $1.2 million for tsunami relief efforts. CLWR also works with other partners in the area.
- CLWR News Service and ACT International
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