1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Declaration | Nigeria Map

Empowering People at the Grassroots Level

Soon after the successful closure of the Interfaith Initiative, we drove three hours north to Jos to start planning the next steps, and to begin the assessment training at St. Louis College. The Interfaith Action Council on HIV/AIDS of Nigeria was formed and a declaration of unity from the Christian and Muslim community was issued. The success and ease of these processes was due in large part to The Balm In Gilead Board Chair Erline Belton, who helped set up agendas and kept meetings running smoothly and efficiently with the partners. Her leadership set the foundation for how the planning committee would be run in the future.

The religious leaders promised to work together and with The Balm In Gilead across faith communities to fight this scourge, including instituting the Nigeria Week of Prayer and Education for the Healing of AIDS, an international program of The Balm In Gilead, which will be designed in partnership with the Christian and Muslim community.

As a special farewell to The Balm team, the president of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Kathryn Hauwa Hoomkwap, and her husband, Senator George Baba Hoomkwap, hosted a special reception in Pernessa Seele's honor. There was good food and good music, including a special Nigerian rendition of "The Balm In Gilead."

In spite of all of the challenges Nigeria faces, the partnerships made are very strong. The people of Nigeria are committed to fighting HIV/AIDS together, among themselves and with their new American partners.

Click here to read the Declaration of Unity from Christian and Muslim Community to Address HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Click here for a map and Nigeria Facts

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Declaration | Nigeria Map