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New AIDS Center Opens in Addis Ababa
18 January 2005

A Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Center for HIV/AIDS opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, 8 October 2004. Dr. Tim Teusink, SIM missionary to Ethiopia, writes, "This VCT Center is the culmination of years of hard work, prayer and giving by many people. SIM and the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church, which relates to SIM in Ethiopia, view the opening as a huge step forward in the struggle against the AIDS epidemic in this, the largest city in the Horn of Africa. The Center's impact on this community and country will be transformational!"

The Medan ("Saving the Generation" in the Amharic language) Center was officially opened by the doctor who heads the Addis Ababa City Health Department in the presence of government, community, and church leaders. A local drama group performed an outstanding play about testing for HIV. Speeches, singing, prayers, tours, and a feast of Ethiopian food all helped us to celebrate. Ethiopians do know how to celebrate and tremendous enthusiasm is felt in the community about this center.

In addition to counseling and testing for HIV, the center will be the focal point of several activities:

  1. Education programs through Anti-AIDS Youth Clubs, focusing on behavioral change;
  2. Community based home care and support for people living with AIDS;
  3. Care of orphans and other vulnerable children;
  4. Advocacy for the most vulnerable members of society;
  5. A clinic to care for people living with AIDS; and
  6. Income Generating Activities to economically empower impoverished families that have been affected by the epidemic.

This is the fifth center that the Kale Heywet Church has opened throughout Ethiopia, with several more planned, and is a combined effort of SIM and the Church. SIM thanks all those who pray and give to missions, making possible this giant step in meeting the AIDS crisis.
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