International (MNN) — Today is
World Aids Day. This year's theme is
"Leadership," and it's being promoted with the slogan, "Stop AIDS. Keep the
Promise."
Last year, three million people
contracted HIV. Two million people died
of AIDS-related causes, and 33 million people are living with it.
A family affected by AIDS is
pushed further into poverty causing members of that family to make decisions
that put them at greater risk of getting this disease.
That's why "Leadership" was
selected as the theme for World AIDS Day. It was aimed at encouraging leaders at all levels to stop AIDS.
Built on the 2006 theme of Accountability, organizers felt Leadership highlights the discrepancy between
the commitments that have been made to halt the spread of AIDS and actions
taken to follow them through.
Because of the crisis, the Christian
Reformed World Relief Committee today launched iEmbraceAIDS.com.
The site is to help a new
generation be a light at the end of the tunnel that is the AIDS crisis and
shine the light of Christ around the world. It will help educate young people,
raise awareness, help them be part of the solution, or find a way to support
ongoing work.
So far, the CRWRC carries out HIV
and AIDS work in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Two projects
in need of funding are:
India:
CRWRC and
EFICOR are working with local churches to lift the shroud of stigma from people
living with HIV and AIDS, to stand against injustice of discriminating
legislation, and to help stop the spread of this horrible disease.
Nicaragua: CRWRC and the Nehemiah
Center in Nicaragua believes that, through open dialogue in light of the Word
of God by the local church, change in attitudes and practices in the community
is possible.
Click here for details on
iEmbraceAIDS.com
