by Timothy Teusink, Ethiopia
10 March 2005
Sorrow and compassion filled my heart as I gazed at 300 babies and young children suffering from HIV/AIDS transmitted by their mothers. As I interacted with those kids at the Missionaries of Charity AIDS Orphanage, I understood the care and love they received there. With eager, smiling faces, they reached out their thin arms, longing to be picked up and hugged. Thousands more like them live on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of AIDS (PMTCT) is relatively easy, but widespread availability of testing is only recent in Ethiopia. In partnership with SIM, the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (EKHC) inaugurated a PMTCT Medan Addis Ababa Program in early February 2005 at three health centers, and they plan to provide this service to other cities in Ethiopia, as well.

A highly motivated group of French Christians, along with other Christians around the world, have helped obtain the medicine, test kits, and start-up finances. Because of the good reputation of the Kale Heywet Church in their HIV/AIDS work, the Addis Ababa Health Bureau has requested that they provide training and management of PMTCT for the entire city of more than 4 million people! This unprecedented request reflects well on the work and, at the same time, raises many new challenges.

Please pray for

• The youngest victims of the AIDS epidemic who suffer the ravages of this disease. Many of these kids live on the streets in deep poverty.

• Those who provide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission services in the face of great need and limited resources.

• Church and community leaders who face increasing needs brought about by this epidemic.

• The Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church as they provide leadership in this country and model a Christian response to the AIDS Epidemic. At times, the success of these programs brings even greater challenges.

We are grateful for your prayers and support.