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The Fight Against AIDS
"The Balm in Gilead" on a Crusade in Africa
L'inter April 9, 2002
"The Balm in Gilead" is an American non Governmental Organization
whose vocation is to fight against AIDS in both the United States and the world.
A delegation of the Non Governmental Organization is touring 5 African Countries
to help faith-based communities in the fight against AIDS. That is why, representatives
of this Non Governmental Organizations have been working in Ivory Coast.
Sunday 7 April, Ms. Pernessa Seele, CEO of "The Balm in Gilead",
signed a partnership with the different religious leaders of Ivory Coast in the
residence of Cardinal Bernard Agré at the Plateau. Present at the signature
of the partnership were: Cardinal Bernard Agré, Reverend Boni, President
of the Methodist Church, a representative for Apostle Traoré Sidiki, President
of Ivory Coast Pentecostal Church and, Imam Cissé Djiguiba who represented
the Muslim community. The Balm In Gilead is exclusively dedicated to the mobilization
of Black churches in the fight against HIV/AIDS virus. The organization's mission
is to strengthen the capacities of religious groups in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Tanzania,
Kenya, and Zimbabwe to become important actors in the prevention of AIDS. With
funds from The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, this mission which also
includes planning, training and evaluation, marks the beginning of the African
Program HIV/AIDS of "The Balm in Gilead" which started last January
for a five year period. It followed the Historical summit of religious leaders
of the African Diaspora on the HIV/AIDS, held in Tarrytown where more than 60
religious leaders of all religion came from Africa, the Caribbean and the United
States.
In a statement, Ms. Seele said "the Church in Africa, as the church in
African-American communities, is one of the most important institutions of the
community and is strategically placed to play a role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Ms. Seele added that the population whether in Africa, Caribbean or in the United
States of America has the highest rate of infection by HIV. That is why, it has
to take urgent measures for its salvation. The veteran Kpokamé Kouadio
Kaya Gabriel, of the Pentecostal church expressed his satisfaction with the partnership
between The Balm In Gilead and the Christian community of Ivory Coast. "We
did not speak enough of AIDS in the church", and working with The Balm In
Gilead for the past few weeks has made me change my mind. Now in Ivory Coast,
we bring our leaders together by giving out information we have received, and
taking action."
The program will be executed by African churches that will draw their inspiration
from the Balm In Gilead's successful programs such as the Black Church Week of
Prayer for the Healing of AIDS in African-American Communities." The resources
used for this initiative will be adapted to each of the five African countries
and their various ethnic communities.
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