Christians In Africa Mobilize To Fight HIV/AIDS

Samaritan's Purse
Friday, 7 February 2003

Feb. 10-13: Samaritan's Purse, led by Franklin Graham, Uganda's First Lady, and 140 Front Line AIDS Workers from 10 Countries Issue Challenge to the Church

One year after issuing a call to Christians worldwide to mobilize in the fight against HIV/AIDS, international relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, led by Rev. Franklin Graham, is taking the challenge to the front lines of the pandemic – Africa.

Prescription for Hope – Africa, February 10-13 in Kampala, Uganda, seeks to mobilize the Christian community to address the HIV/AIDS crisis with Christian compassion, action, and hope. The conference aims to encourage a unified vision among Christian ministries in Africa and build on currently successful programs.

Among those participating in the Uganda conference: 140 frontline HIV/AIDS workers from 10 countries across Africa, church and government leaders, health professionals, and Uganda's First Lady, Janet Museveni, a leader in one of Africa's most successful national AIDS campaigns, promoting Biblical principles, and providing care and compassion.

EDITOR'S NOTE: First Lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni will address the conference Tuesday, February 11, 10:30 a.m.

Prescription for Hope – Africa follows the international Prescription for Hope conference that was hosted by Samaritan's Purse in Washington, D.C. in February 2002. During the international conference, Franklin Graham was joined by Sen. Bill Frist (R) Tennessee and the First Lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni, in challenging the Christian community to increase their efforts and response to the pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 28 million people.

"Sermons about how to avoid AIDS are good but provide no solace to those 40 million already infected with the virus," said Graham during the Prescription for Hope conference in Washington, D.C. in February 2002. "As the church of Christ, we must reach out with open arms in love, encouragement, and compassion rather than condemnation."

Prescription for Hope – Africa is hosted by Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization providing aid, food, medicine, and supplies to more than 100 countries affected by disease, famine, war, poverty, and other crises.

For more information, or to contact Samaritan's Purse, see their website at: www.samaritanspurse.org