Our Philosophy

The Balm In Gilead - Tanzania is a registered and recognized non-governmental organization with offices located in Dar es Salaam. The organizational mission is to build and strengthen the capacity of faith institutions and other non-governmental organizations to eliminate health disparities by providing program design, implementation and evaluation support. To date, The Balm In Gilead's programmatic focus is HIV/AIDS.

The following Seven Key Principles under gird The Balm In Gilead's partnerships with African faith communities.

Principle #1: Prayer & Faith are Powerful Forces in the Lives of African People

Faith is the central organizing concept that drives the mission of The Balm In Gilead. Faith taps into universalities that surpass the differences that divide----culture, faith and nationhood.

Principle #2: African Faith Communities Maintain Existing Reservoirs of Strength, Knowledge, Skills & Capacities which Must Be Acknowledged & Cultivated

With an established social system and network, African faith communities are unparalleled in their ability to reach the masses of people across gender, age and economic characteristics to address the horrendous crisis of AIDS. The Balm In Gilead's approach to faith community mobilization rests heavily on an empowerment perspective ---an approach that emphasizes strengths rather than weaknesses; that, rather than focusing on obstacles and challenges, focuses on opportunities and possibilities.

Principle #3: Faith Institutions in Africa Play a Critical Role in Influencing Social Norms and are Ideally Situated to Impact Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for a Host of Health Disparities, Including HIV/AIDS

Throughout Africa, churches and mosques are considered by the people to be the most important institutions in the community. In villages and communities throughout Africa, institutions of faith play a vital role in the daily lives of their members and community. Because faith institutions are the lifeblood of African communities, they must be viewed as critical catalysts in significantly influencing the beliefs, myths, and understandings that impact both risk and protective factors related to HIV transmission as well as other diseases.

Principle #4: Faith Leaders are the Most Powerful Voices in African Societies and must be Positioned at the Forefront of Strategies Designed to Respond to HIV/AIDS and other Health Disparities

The Balm In Gilead operates from a historically rooted understanding that the loudest voices for Black communities worldwide are ones that come from the pulpit…Drawing upon the historical legacy set by Black religious figures such as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcom X) and Martin Luther King Jr. of the United States; and Desmond Tutu of South Africa, The Balm In Gilead is dedicated to ensuring that its activities are driven and guided by religious leaders.

Principle #5: People Infected & Affected by HIV/AIDS Should Be Treated with Love, Respect & Compassion

The efforts of The Balm In Gilead both domestically and internationally have done much to impact communities that previously lacked HIV/AIDS awareness that breed stigma and discrimination. Trainings provided to religious leaders and to their churches and mosques offer education related to current HIV/AIDS science as well as ways in which theology may be used to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and instill hope to persons affected by HIV/AIDS. Once faith leaders are educated and sensitized regarding HIV/AIDS, they may impact their peers and congregants in promoting a compassionate response to HIV/AIDS. It The Balm In Gilead's hope that heightened HIV/AIDS awareness will not only prompt religious leaders and their congregants to promote the compassionate treatment of AIDS affected persons but will also translate into the conscious inclusion of PLWAs (People Living With AIDS) in the design and delivery of HIV/AIDS-related programming---this kind of inclusion reflects a fundamental sense of love, respect and compassion for all persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Principle #6: Communities of Faith Throughout Africa have the Necessary Capacities to Draw Upon Their Religious Experiences, Beliefs & Culture in Addressing HIV/AIDS in an Effective, Respectful Manner

The Balm In Gilead recognizes and cultivates the existing strengths that characterize Africa's faith communities. An important feature of The Balm In Gilead's approach to faith community mobilization is that the organization finds, listens and works with partners in a way that works best for them---starting where they are and respecting what they value.

Principle #7: The Most Effective Response to HIV/AIDS and Other Horrendous Health Challenges in Africa Demands Intentional Action Characterized by Excellence and Rooted within a Context of Compassion & Love