A number of leaders from other faiths have expressed their wish to do more if government departments would approach them and recognise their potential contribution.
The training of religious leaders is an area identified by many as a need, a positive way forward and financial assistance is essential to expanding the role of faith-based organisations in HIV prevention and care.
There is an apparent misconception about HIV though with geographical differences. Some of the religious leaders residing in rural and remote areas regard HIV as a divine punishment for sin or consequence of immoral behavior. Those who have been trained have shown a more positive view about Aids as a disease associated with ignorance and poverty and display a positive attitude towards those affected.
I visited Morang District and had a meeting with peer educators from the communities. One young man came to me inspired and he said “I want to do something to members of my community who live in abject poverty!” I felt the weight of those words and I learned that he came from a Muslim community, of course a minority group in Nepal. I encouraged him to share knowledge, skills and provide accurate information to his community especially on health related issues including HIV and that would create a more positive view and attitude in overcoming poverty to some extent. It was interesting to hear the positive side of their experiences and challenges they faced in the community. They took me round to see the condition that the community lives in and I found that poor sanitation was a common problem e.g. blocked water drainage systems and lack of toilets.
-Please pray for the community volunteers and local government institutions as do their plans to address the problems and priority areas.
Photo: These are the peer educators who have been raising awareness on HIV and other health related issues in various parts of Morang District.
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