SIM Radio’s broadcasts in Ethiopia help combat HIV/AIDS.

Ethiopia (SIM/MNN)–Radio listeners in Ethiopia are responding in large numbers to a new Christian radio program on HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

The broadcast is the work of two Ethiopian staff members at SIM RadioLarge numbers of organizations are seeking to combat HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. But until now there has been no faith-based radio broadcasting that emphasizes behavioral change — abstinence before marriage and faithfulness within marriage — proven to be the most effective means of combating the spread of this disease.

The producers created a series of 75 creative programs in both the Amharic and Gurage languages using drama and interviews in a news magazine format. More than 500 letters have come in each month from the Amharic broadcast alone.

The producers plan to continue this life-saving effort as long as AIDS threatens the people of Ethiopia and funds are available to underwrite the program.

Radio is an effective means of reaching large audiences throughout Ethiopia. As in much of Africa, Ethiopians depend on radio for their news, information and entertainment. It is typical to see Ethiopians listening to their AM/shortwave radios at home, in the marketplace and alongside the road, and even in the remotest regions of the country.