Young men in Burkina Faso take part in an AIDS education training event organized by the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Burkina Faso. AIDS. Care Now.Donate NowBurkina Faso
About Burkina FasoWith one of the world's twenty-five lowest incomes per capita, Burkina Faso also has one of the highest HIV infection rates within West Africa — more than four percent. Poverty and low literacy levels have challenged efforts to implement HIV/AIDS programs.
MCC Supports:Assemblies of God, Action on AIDSThe Assemblies of God church in Ouagadougou has been providing HIV/AIDS education to church leaders and members for a number of years. Now, the church seeks to reach out more directly to those in the church and community that are living with HIV/AIDS. Through this project, 100 volunteers are being trained in home-based care and 10 volunteers are being trained in psycho-social counseling. These volunteers will then provide support to those with HIV/AIDS in their communities. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Evangelical Mennonite Church in Burkina Faso (EEMBF)The combination of poverty and lack of food, low levels of school attendance and low levels of literacy all challenge efforts to implement an AIDS prevention program in Burkina Faso. L'Eglise Evangelique Mennonite Burkina Faso (EEMBF) is the national Mennonite church. It is located in Kenedougou Province in the southwest of the country, near the borders of Cote d'Ivoire and Mali. Orodara, the main town in the province, is an agricultural crossroads with many salesmen, truck drivers, and seasonal workers passing through the province. EEMBF has 300 members in eight localities with five pastors. EEMBF has trained church members to go into the community to raise awareness, provide ongoing education, and organize ways to support those with AIDS and their families. The church produces a weekly radio program to discuss all aspects of AIDS. It is hoped that people will learn how to prevent AIDS and that pastors and elders will show an increased willingness to engage in the fight against AIDS and model compassionate care for the sick. $16 Cdn./$13 U.S. allows one person to receive counselor training. $33 Cdn./$26 U.S. provides two radio programs each month. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Office for Development Projects, Evangelical Churches in Burkina FasoThe Office for Development Projects (ODE) has successfully implemented a variety of development projects over the years. For this project, MCC is one of a number of donors contributing to a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program through the churches in Burkina Faso. Educational outreach takes place in 34 villages and 144 midwives receive special training for the prevention of the spread of HIV from mothers to their children. 120 people living with AIDS receive care and medical support and 70 people living with AIDS receive training for income-generation activities. 120 orphans are also supported through the project. These efforts are focused in rural areas where people are often unreached by other national campaigns. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects. |