1	Faith Communities Responding to HIV/AIDS in Africa: Building Curriculum for Theological Institutions Ndunge Kiiti, PhD Senior Director, Partnership Development MAP International CCIH Conference Germantown, MD May 30, 2005
2	Presentation Overview The Context Why the Church? MAP Responses Building Curricula for Theological Institutions: Community/Diploma Level: Choosing Hope – 8 Modules Under Graduate Level: Three-Unit HIV/AIDS Curriculum Post Graduate Level: MA/PGD in Pastoral Care & HIV/AIDS Challenges Lessons Learnt Conclusion
3	The Context Waves of the HIV&AIDS Epidemic in Africa Silent wave of the HIV infection Destructive phase of the illness Stigma and discrimination - primarily against HIV infected persons Children orphaned and affected by the disease Grandmothers-- ‘New Mothers’ of Africa (Adapted from M. J. Kelly, Luwisha H’se, Lusaka, Zambia, Sept. 04) Provision of ARVs PEPFAR: place 2 million on treatment; prevent 7 million new infections; provide care and support for 10 million WHO: ‘3 X 5’ Goal National Responses: Kenya’s Goal: From 25,000 (2004) to 95,000 (2008)
4	The Problem The rapid spread of HIV in Africa is devastating families and whole communities, and threatening to cripple entire economies. HIV & AIDS is leaving: Children without parents, Families without bread winners Schools without teachers, and Hospitals without doctors and nurses...!
5	Facing AIDS Relevance of churches will be determined by their response Re-examine human conditions, which promote the pandemic; Relationships Build healthy covenants with one another Mend broken relationships Review church structures that marginalize women and children Response “Look, listen, learn and understand!” Levels—individual, local, national, regional and international
6	Why the Church? Advocacy for and on behalf of the voiceless Access to a wide audience Hope—Eternal Perspective Holistic Approach Infrastructure Integrity Resources Sustainability Track Record
7	Evolution of MAP’s Response Research Training Material Development & Dissemination Advocacy and Policy Development Networking and Partnerships Institutional Capacity Building
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9	Building the Curriculum: The Beginning
10	Building Curriculum (1) 1999: Policy Leaders Workshop on HIV/AIDS held in Mombasa, Kenya. 2000: Integration of Curriculum into institutions “Choosing Hope” First taught at St. Paul’s United Theological College—Limuru, Kenya Consultation on Development of a Degree Level HIV/AIDS Curriculum held in Nairobi, Kenya
11	Building Curriculum (2) 2001: TOT Workshop for East & Southern Africa regions held in Nairobi, Kenya 2003: First Cohort of students enroll for the MA/PGD in Pastoral Care & HIV/AIDS Program – at SPUTC 2004: Second Cohort of Students enrolled at SPUTC
12	Expansion into Regional Institutions Bishop Gaul College (Harare, Zimbabwe) College of Transfiguration (Grahamstown, RSA) Cornerstone Christian College (Cape Town, RSA) Uganda Christian University (Mukono, Uganda) St. John’s Anglican Seminary (Kitwe, Zambia) St. Mark’s Theological College (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) St. Paul’s United Theological College (Limuru, Kenya)
13	Building Curriculum (3) CHOOSING HOPE: 8 Modules designed to be used in Practical Theology Courses and other Educational Ministries of the Church: Understanding HOPE: By Knowing facts about HIV/AIDS Discovering HOPE: Through Our Biblical Foundation Spreading HOPE: By mobilizing the Church to engage in HIV/AIDS ministries Developing HOPE: By Changing Feelings and Attitudes about HIV/AIDS Sharing HOPE: Through pastoral care to families affected by HIV/AIDS Offering HOPE: Through HIV/AIDS pastoral counseling Giving HOPE: To Parents and Youth for AIDS-free living Ministering HOPE: Through Home Based Care to PLWA
14	Building Curriculum (4) Undergraduate Program Unit One: Human Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Unit Two: The Christian/Church Response to HIV/AIDS Pandemic Unit Three: Program Development Specialization (Areas of Interest) Methods of Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation
15	Building Curriculum (5) MA/PGD in Pastoral Care and HIV/AIDS Aims and Objectives To equip practitioners working in the field of HIV/AIDS interventions to become critically reflective (learning methodology) theologically informed professionally grounded in carrying out research skilled in relating faith and HIV/AIDS
16	Building Curriculum (6) Community Transformation To facilitate practical field experiences 50 current students working in the field 1,250 community activists impacted 25,000 in the community reached
17	Building Curriculum (7) MA/PGD Main Subjects Part 1 Leading to Post Graduate Diploma Global, Regional and Local Dimension Human Sexuality Dimension Social Sciences Dimension Pastoral Care Practice dimension Theological & Spiritual Dimension Ethical & Legal Dimension Strategic Dimension Part 2 Leading to MA Degree Dissertation based on Specialist Elective Dimension – One of: Advocacy Counseling Models of Care Micro-enterprise Development
18	Building Curriculum (9) Base Group Model (Esther) Transforming her Kiserian, Ngong Community Working with a ‘Base Group’ of 20+ members Composition (doctors; chief; teachers; community health workers; caretakers for PLWHA and others) Exemplifying community and NGO partnerships and networks
19	Esther and some of her Base Group Members
20	Challenges Stigma, Silence, Denial Discriminating against PLWAs Sex & Sexuality: Taboo subjects Lack of Skills for Caring for the Infected and Affected Limited Theological Depth Among Clergy & Laity Limited Resources—Information, Financial and Managerial Caregiver Burnout Lack of Networking with Government and NGO’s
21	Key Lessons Learnt (1) Dissemination of information versus training The ‘Messenger’ is as important as the ‘Message’ Comprehensive Educational Materials must be provided Integration of Monitoring and Evaluation Research guides program interventions Targeting Church Leadership at top level and grass roots level
22	Key Lessons Learnt (2) Networking and Partnerships paramount Translate theory to practice Momentum is developed through commitment Church leadership motivated and mobilized with understanding of biblical mandate Holistic approaches insure effectiveness Prayer makes a difference
23	The Uganda Experience What Lessons can we learn from Uganda’s response…? HIV Infection rate (%) : Pregnant Women (ANC), Uganda, 1985-2000
24	Conclusion It is about multiplication: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be able to teach others” (St. Paul, in 2 Timothy 2:2).