Let’s think and act in this era of HIV

When people hear about HIV, all that comes into their mind is death, fear and rejection. Stigma and discrimination takes its roots and people tend to avoid the problem instead of confronting it. Instead of fighting HIV and AIDS, they fight people and this is the beginning of discrimination and violation of human rights.

The people living with HIV prefer secrecy and isolation to the risk of exposure, rejection and discrimination, causing many to remain cut off from information, treatment, care and support in their communities.

HIV and AIDS is a rare word spoken by both literate and illiterate people.

The ongoing disaster is far away compared to Rita, Wilma hurricane, earthquakes, hunger and floods.  A big silence as it engulfs, affecting people, shaking countries socio-economic sphere and bringing hopelessness. Globally 33.3 Million People are living with HIV and 7000 get infected everyday. How many people are living with HIV in your country? The men, women and children are not spared either!

Dealing with the challenge and reality of HIV,  promoting care and acceptance of those living positively and their involvement is not only a moral requirement for every one, but also an integral part of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. In Nepal, the majority of people who test positive are shy of publicly declaring their Sero-status and one of the ways to overcome fear is strengthening networks and institutions to provide platform for their support and ensuring everyone in the community have accurate information and informed about the importance of HIV test.

The involvement and interaction of religious leaders and people living with HIV can also reinforce the seriousness of the epidemic and inspire hope towards achieving Zero-HIV infections, Zero- deaths and Zero -discrimination.

 

 

The Evangelical Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Nepal has started to implement an HIV curriculum.

Accelerating response to HIV by equipping facilitators from Bible Schools in Nepal

Churches and faith based organisation are undoubtedly uniquely positioned to implement a holistic response to HIV and AIDS at community level. In Nepal at least there is a Church in 75 districts. Churches are becoming well established and demonstrating sustainability. It is therefore the call of the Church not only to provide spiritual nurturing but also to stand by people during any form of suffering, need, witness and strive against any form of injustice. We have a responsibility to call on the power and the word of God to offer compassion, reconciliation, prayer and hope to all people affected by HIV and AIDS. The priority is to have Churches work together to decide what common theological and ethical standards using the challenge posed by HIV as an opportunity for moral and spiritual growth, to care for one another, to support the living and the dying and appreciate the gift of life.

Equipping facilitators will enable them to share correct information on HIV and AIDS, challenge stigma and interpret the scripture as a guiding principles.

Bible School teachers training on HIV and AIDS (Facilitation skills on technical matters)

Witnessing to the Gospel require more than preaching, teaching and praying, as important as these actions are, it asks people of faith to be actively involved in bringing about the values that the Gospel stands for example love, compassion, care and solidarity with those that suffer. Presenting the Gospel as ambassadors for Christ may mean start with what we say, it continues with what we do and it ends with who we are!

Prayer: Let's pray that the loving God, him alone knows the end from the beginning to  lift up all HIV and AIDS patients from pain and grant them new hope. Pray for the families of the patients for protection, patience and strength.

Theological Institutions commitment to respond to HIV and AIDS in Nepal

In Nepal theological Institutions now embrace to respond to HIV. The HIV course was launched and a four day training of facilitators was conducted. The HIV course will be implemented in Believers Church Minor Seminar,  Kingdom Bible School, Shepherd Bible School, Nepal Methodist Theological Seminary, GFA Bible College, YWAM Frontier Mission, NKIC, Nepal Ebenezer Bible College and Evangelical Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The course content is about facts on HIV and AIDS, gender and sexuality, biblical perspective, church response, pastoral counseling and capacity enhancement.

The facilitators will teach the HIV course to prepare the students to mobilize churches and communities to respond to HIV. It was agreed that church can replace fear with hope, ignorance with knowledge, blame with respect and shame with dignity.

Facilitators from Bible schools and Micah network

Declaration of Commitment by Theological facilitators in 2013 during the training:

• We are committed to facilitate courses on HIV and AIDS in our colleges and churches.
• We will encourage our students to facilitate their churches to learn this material about HIV and AIDS.
• We will create a stigma free environment in the Bible schools by developing positive attitudes toward people living with HIV and AIDS.
• We will develop a network for facilitators of the HIV and AIDS curriculum to continue developing our skills.
• We will have at least an annual seminar on theological issues related to HIV and AIDS.
• We will add materials about HIV and AIDS to our college libraries.

Pray for:

• Justice – that there is an end to HIV stigma and discrimination

• Truth – that education effectively reaches those most at risk of contracting HIV so that

  they know how to avoid infection

• Hope – for scientists developing treatments and working towards a cure. And wisdom   

  for the doctors treating those living with HIV

• Love – that each of us shows Christ’s love and helps fight the spread of HIV and

  challenge HIV stigma

• Healing – that people live well with HIV developing their lives physically, spiritually

  and emotionally

• Faith – that those living with HIV know God’s love and peace

Hopeful.....

Children who courageously live positively

The estimated 13,000-plus children in Nepal who are already living with and affected by HIV. But to be an HIV-positive child is not nearly as dire as it once was. As we have been seeing with adults infected with the virus, controlling HIV in young patients has dramatically improved in recent years. Approximately a decade ago, a pediatric HIV diagnosis was associated with a dismal prognosis: most infected children would die before their fifth birthday. Today, thanks to early access to care and advances in HIV drug treatment, approximately half of all HIV-infected children will live to enter and graduate from school. And with more information quickly emerging with respect to how HIV-infected children should be treated, we can expect the success rate to improve significantly.

Caring for a child who is HIV positive comes with many challenges. We sincerely hope that the learnings will enable the health workers and communities better understand children and HIV, but also to enhance communication with pediatric health care providers.

Strengthening family's livelihood base would also reduce the impact of the epidemic. Children support for nutritious food, education ,access to treatment, emotional support and helping communities to care for sick and vulnerable children remain a priority.

Pray for children living positively during this winter season as we envision a world where children and families can live free of HIV infection and in which families that are affected by HIV and AIDS can live positively and productively without stigma and discrimination

Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Nepal

It was a day well spent charting with Representatives from organizations working with people with special abilities. The event was happened in Kathmandu at World Trade Center. There was Career Expo for Persons with Disabilities. The discussions were about removing barrier to create an inclusive and accessible society for all. I saw different people with special abilities the blind, deaf and disabled and my heart was moved. The celebration was attended by Government officials, INGOS, lateral and bilateral agencies, NGOS and companies.

It was revealed that 2% of the total population in Nepal is reported to have some kind of disability. There are about 500,000 people with disabilities in Nepal and Still 90% of the them live below poverty line. The technical barrier hinders or keeps persons with disabilities from equal, active and effective participation. The barriers hinder access to employment, health and education. The good news was that Nepal is transforming and therefore the society begins to understand the issues surrounding people with disabilities. The Career Expo for Persons with Disabilities is an event that will promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in order to make them self dependent, productive and dignified citizens of Nepal.

Tihar Festivals in Nepal

Tihar Festivals in Nepal

The Nepalis celebrates Tihar that is the festival of lights which is one of the most dazzling of all Hindu festivals. In this festival they worship goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. During the festival all the houses in the city and villages are decorated with lit oil lamps. Thus during the night the entire village or city looks like a sparkling diamond. This festival is celebrated in five days starting from the thirteenth day of the waning moon in October. In other words this festival is meant for life and prosperity.

Goddess Laxmi is the wife of almighty Lord Vishnu. She was formed from the ocean and she has all the wealth of the seas. She sits on a full-grown lotus and her steed is the owl. On the third day of the festival at the stroke of midnight she makes a world tour on her owl looking how she is worshipped.
There is a story, which tells why this revelry is celebrated so widely. Once there was a king who was living his last days of life. His astrologer had told him that a serpent would come and take his life away. The king did not want to die so he had asked the astrologer if there was any way to escape death. The king was advised to sleep with lit oil lamps all around his bed and decorate the palace with oil lamps on laxmi puja day. So goddess laxmi would talk to the serpent not to take his life. It did happen, the serpent was convinced by goddess laxmi. The serpent took the king to Yama Raj and told him that it was not yet the king's time to come to the underworld. So Yama Raj opened his ledger and in it the kings remaining age was written zero, but the serpent cleverly put seven before zero. Thus the king lived for seventy more years. So onwards tihar is widely celebrated worshipping the underworld and goddess laxmi.

The first day of tihar is known as 'Kag tihar', crows day. Crow is an underworld henchman. On this day crows are offered food on a plate made out of leaves in the morning before anyone in the house takes in food. In the kingdom of Nepal crow is not killed cause as a legend says that one crow had happened to drink the water of life. Thus you can see crows everywhere sitting without the fear of human beings. Crow the messenger of death is honored on the first day of tihar.

The second day is called 'Kukur tihar', dogs day. A dog plays many roles in Nepali society. The dogs are guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama's gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog's forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given a very delicious meal. This day the saying 'every dog has his day' comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. People pray to the dog to guard their house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from peoples homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck.

The third day is the most important day of the festival. It is called 'Laxmi puja', The day when goddess of wealth is worshipped. On this day, early in the morning the cow is worshipped. Tika is put on her head and a garland around her neck then she feasts with delicious food. A cow also symbolizes wealth and she is the most holy animal for Hindus. The cow is also revered and worshipped as the representation of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, by applying oil on its hoofs and horns and putting red and yellow marks on its body. Hindus consider not only cow's milk and milk-products, but also cow's urine and dung pious. Cow is the national animal of Nepal.

In the evening goddess laxmi is worshipped. Days before the house are cleansed and decorated. For goddess likes clean and tidy places. In the evening a small potion of the house out side the main door is painted red with red mud and an oil lamp is lit on it. A pathway is made from here to the place where the old money box and valuables are kept in the house that is the puja room. All the Nepalese have a box where from generation to generation money is put every year worshipping goddess laxmi. This money is never used unless extreme emergency. The entire house is decorated with lit oil lamps in every doors and windows. Laxmi, goddess of wealth is worshipped performing the traditional rituals and when the rituals are over then gambling in the house starts. This is a festival when gambling is not illegal. On this day throughout the evening groups of girls come to houses singing song of praise of the goddess and they are taken as guests and given gifts. This day the entire place is lively through out the night.

The fourth day is bit different. Today the things worshipped depend on specific cultural background. Normally most of the people perform 'Guru puja', ox worshipping. The ox is worshipped with tika, garland and then a delicious meal is fed to it. On the other hand people who follow lord Krishna perform 'Gobhardan puja'. These people build a small hill made out of cowdung and put some grass on it then do puja on it. This puja symbolises the act of lord Krishna when he lifted the gobhardan hill and saved millions of people and cows from floodwater.

If you belong to the Newar community, you perform 'Mha puja' which literally means worshipping yourself. The newar community people are worshipping life by doing puja on themselves. On this very day the newar New Year also starts. Nepal has many minor community calendars and newar calendar is one of them but the nation follows the Bikram Sambat calendar.

The last day of tihar is 'Bhai tika', putting tika on your brothers by your sisters. The royal astrologer gives the appropriate time to put the tika through the national radio a day before and the entire nation abides by it. Even his majesty receives tika from is sisters. When his majesty receives tika a thirty-one-gun salute is given to honour the function. At this moment the entire nation will be observing bhai tika. The main theme behind bhai tika is the sisters praying for their brother's long life from Yama Raj, god of the underworld.

The most exotic and dazzling festival comes to an end after these five magnificent days of worship and honor to the goddess laxmi and the underworld kingdom.

Pray for Christians in Nepal as they reach people during this celebration in Villages and Urban areas

Encouraging and fulfilling moments in Scotland…

The journey from Edinburgh to Kilmarnock and Inverness by train was enjoyable – seeing dramatic hills, green vegetation, flowing springs and amazing landscapes. I enjoyed meeting Church of Scotland congregations at Crosshouse, John Knox, St Andrews St.Columbus, St Kentigern’s, Fullarton, Ness Bank, Petty, Ardersier, Kirkhill, Crown, Barn, Drumnadrochit and Tomatin Breakfast Club. It was encouraging to share the progress of the Mission work including HIV and AIDS in Nepal.

My visit to schools and other community projects were encouraging and I enjoyed Alistair McDonald’s concert in John Knox Church, meeting with local voluntary groups’ representatives, talks with children in Schools and a football match between Scotland and Serbia (0-0).

I visited Blythswood Care at Evanton, spoke to staff and was impressed to learn how the organization mobilizes local resources to support physically and spiritually the needy people in Scotland and developing countries.

There was a Sexual Health Update day at Council Chambers Glenurquhart Road that was attended by Health Professionals and I had opportunity to share about the work supported by Church of Scotland in Nepal. According to the statistical data provided during the conference, UK has about 91,500 people living with HIV and AIDS.

I thank Ness Bank Guild, World Mission Council, Parish Ministers and the members of the church who provided accommodation, refreshments and vehicular facilitation.

It was exciting sailing to Loch Ness, a home of the ‘monster!’

Deputation was a wonderful experience for me! It was a time of great growth in my life. I thank God for the congregations’ prayers and support. Also, we want to thank the many faithful churches who have partnered with us so that we may move on to the next step of our ministry ensuring fullness of life in a transformed Nepali society.

 

Thank you and we wish you every blessing. 

By Joel, Agnes, Grace and Francis

Empowering churches for HIV response



Participants of HIV and Church’s response workshop

The process of enabling or empowering churches to serve requires commitment and willingness to bring about change. The Church should arise, communicate and serve people in need.
The HIV and AIDS orientation was conducted in Anugrah AG Church in Kabilvastu District. There were 24 Church leaders and members from 9 churches. In Nepal HIV awareness among the Christian community in Nepal is still low. The issue isn’t talked about much and congregations need to learn how to mainstream prayers for those infected and affected. It was encouraging to see participants deliberate on the various roles and capacity areas that are needed for churches to respond.

The HIV orientation sessions became a modeling opportunity to learn about facilitation skills and how to tackle sensitive matters like the use of condoms, sexually transmitted infections and sexual reproductive health.

Skill building, providing accurate information and emphasis on biblical perspective motivated Christian leaders and members to understand how HIV and AIDS issues can be addressed in the Christian community with their own resources.

The churches will be using the self assessment tool every six months to ascertain their progress and facilitators will attend peer learning reviews to share experiences and learn from each other. The initial score on the self assessment will be recorded by individual churches and then every 6 months the new score would be calculated. The progress will also be documented.

Relationship building enhances unity among churches and communities to respond to HIV and AIDS.

Please pray for: Political situation in Nepal especially for leaders as they make decisions that affect people and the country

A challenging trip to Harbale

Church leaders on the way to Harbale Nawaparasi

It was a challenging experience going to Harbale to conduct HIV sensitization. This is a remote area with narrow roads, constructed along steep cliff 200 meters deep in most of the areas. We spent the whole day going round and round the hills. I was encouraged to see people enthusiastic to know more about the epidemic. This is a marginalized area and services are very limited.

Christian leaders are challenged to create a good environment for members to learn, pray and encourage each other. The leaders realized that empowering church members on different social issues including HIV could be good entry points into serving the community. The church leaders also recognize that Biblical reference was important to ensure that ignorance is replaced with knowledge, and indifference with compassion.

Although HIV and AIDS is a global issue some participants were not aware about HIV, its mode of transmission and Christian responses towards community and marginalized people.
Please pray for childrens education in Harbale.

My reflection on HIV and AIDS orientation in Kalimpong, India

I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Church of Scotland and DISHA project staff for my visit to Kalimpong to facilitate awareness module on HIV and AIDS for Eastern Himalayan Diocese, Church of Northern India. The arrangement was done through DISHA-SAHAIYATA project supported by Church of Scotland. There were 43 participants from various pastorate regions. The orientation was successful and much was highlighted in 3 local television channels and local newspapers.

Group discussions on Biblical perspective
 on HIV and AIDS

The church members were encouraged to respond on HIV. In one area in Kalimpong, 116 people are living with HIV and Kalimpong Sub-Division Hospital provides treatment, care and support. Drug use is the main mode of HIV transmission among others. It is my hope that churches will work with communities to ensure that those infected and affected will have access to life skills, livelihood, enhance their resilience in this era of HIV and AIDS and give hope to affected population.

Kalimpong is one of the largest Sub-Divisions of India and has the distinct advantage of being centrally located and would require a minimum stay of 3 to 4 days to be covered. I enjoyed visiting Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Except for the monsoon months of Mid July to Mid September, Kalimpong is a wonderful place to visit throughout. The main languages are English, Nepali, Hindi and Tibetan. People migrate to other states in India and to neighboring countries such as Bhutan, China and Bagladesh.

Access to treatment enhances positive living

Please pray for:

• Church engagement in HIV work in Kalimpong

• People living with HIV and AIDS and caregivers

• DISHA project and the Sub Division hospital staff in Kalimpong as they encourage communities to respond to HIV and AIDS

• Government line agencies and other stakeholders supporting communities.

50th Anniversary Celebration for Okhaldhunga Hospital in Nepal

The journey to Okhaldhunga took two days each way and I was able to learn how God works through people in difficult situation with so many dimensions. Dr James Dick was a Missionary partner of Church of Scotland.

Dr James Dick says “First, I think I should mention that what I did was so long ago that the present population of Okhaldhunga has only a limited idea of what I did and under what conditions. The hospital was the first and, I think, still the only UMN hospital in East Nepal where conditions are different from the West. The Okhaldhunga is 100 miles from Kathmandu and in my time was a week's walk. All supplies apart from the simplest rural things had to be carried in on men's backs. The Church of Scotland gave support and I managed to get a hospital going. It is hard to recollect how different life was when I first came to Okhaldhunga – no running water, just kerosene tins carried from the nearest stream – no communications except for a series of postmen (dak wallas) running each a day's journey between Okhaldhunga and Kathmandu carrying one lot of letters out and returning with another lot of letters back, between two posts in a series of ten posts (daks). Wood was shaped with a wood chipper (an adze) rather than cut with a saw. Cement was very expensive, so walls were built with blocks of stone bonded with mud and dung – milk and meat came direct from the buffalo.”

His story and experience reflects how God strengthens and protects his people in serving the poor and the needy.

Joel giving a speech on behalf of Church of Scotland

Joel giving a speech on behalf of Church of Scotland

The 50th anniversary celebrations were held on 14 March 2012 and attended by Okhaldhunga Community Hospital staff, the Norwegian Ambassador, mission representatives, UMN staff , local officials and large number of local people. I represented Church of Scotland and conveyed good wishes to the community. It was encouraging to meet people and hear from them about their life experiences working in Okhaldhunga hospital and surrounding communities.

Joel receiving a present on behalf of Church of Scotland from Norwegian Ambassador

Joel receiving a present on behalf of Church of Scotland from Norwegian Ambassador

The hospital provides quality medical services and there is a plan to renovate and construct new building that includes the TB Ward, in and out patient department. Community contributes labour and local material. The hospital requires more supporters to improve the hospital facilities to serve more people.
Pray for:
-Okhadhunga hospital staff and the community
-The family of James Dick

God's mission for AIDS

For people who do not come face to face with Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome(AIDS), it may be little more than curiosity. The media have announced its spread, its appearance and death were reported and the public seemed willing to ignore AIDS and to develop a false sense of security with respect to it. The presence of church must be a presence of hope and grace, healing and reconciliation, of love and perseverance to the end. AIDS has challenged the church to reflect on its identity and mission. God’s people must begin now to mobilize, to design and to implement a variety of sustaining ministries in the name of the Lord who commanded his people to love one another.

Providing education about AIDS and a broadening experience with it are destroying the myths, stereotypes and prejudices that inhibit an emphatic and supportive response. Illness and disabilities should be regarded as opportunity for God’s people to provide compassionate care and protection. AIDS ministries taken by congregation and individuals ought not to be underestimated. Sermons on the inclusive nature of God’s love, God’s presence in the midst of human suffering, understanding of human well-being and God as hope and refuge can influence attitudes and shape responses.

The situations of infected and affected people demand an intense pastoral response from the religious community. The task at hand is to constitute an accepting community, concern for the needs of the patients and others affected by AIDS.

Children's HIV ministry

The United Mission to Nepal supports its partner Nawa Jeevan Samaj Sewa (NJSS), a Christian Society in Sunsari that cares for 19 children affected by HIV. The impact of HIV on children and their families is not a simple issue with a simple solution or quick fix. When the HIV status of the child is known to be positive, preventive therapy against common opportunistic infections is always recommended as the standard care. The implementation of Antiretroviral drugs regimens to improve and extend the lives of children infected with HIV is considered whenever accessible and feasible. Yet, this is still a neglected area due to accessibility and the complexity of adequately implementing this service.

Nevertheless, concerted efforts to make Antiretroviral therapy available for children is being explored and strengthened in Nepal. The capacity of programmess for children living with HIV to provide adequate medical attention needs is being stressed. Even where Antiretroviral therapy may not be possible, better access to treatment of opportunistic infections help prolong lives, both for children and parents with HIV.

The family carers and guardians play a significant role when fully informed about preventing and caring for medical conditions though in some districts it is still underestimated. The Nepal Government, some International NGOs and National NGOs have child protection policies that are being brought into programmess and institutions. Some Children are affected by the changes in their parent’s emotional and physical state. They may not know what is happening to the parent and they become confused and frightened. Without proper support mechanisms, when a parent dies, children experience a profound sense of loss, grief, hopelessness, fear and anxiety. The role of the church is being built up to support affected all children and adults.

Dashain Holidays

Dashain is the longest and the most important Hindu festival in Nepal and is celebrated late September to mid October, immediately after the monsoon season. Dashain gets many different nicknames such as Dasara, Bada Dashain, Vijaya Dashain, and Durga Puja. Dashain is the festival celebrating the god Durga's victory over demons.

Nepali Hindus celebrate Dashain holidays and many families from urban areas visit rural families and vice versa. There is a lot of shopping goes on! Nepalese families try to shop at least for the children if not for all. The Nepali Government gives bonuses to government workers as at Dashain (usually equal to one's monthly salary). Some private companies such as banks do the same. Farmers earn their bonus by selling their highly demanded agriculture and live-stock products in return for good cash. Our house help and workers also expect bonuses.

Dashain's most popular foodstuff is meat, and in order of popularity are goat, sheep, buffalo, duck, or chicken. Meat is expensive and poorer people usually can not afford it. So dashain is the time to eat lots of meat. Usually animals are bought live from the market and sacrificed at home or in temples. At home, the whole family is involved in cutting and preparing the meat that is usually eaten over the next 2 to 3 day's of feast. But some families prefer to buy the meat already prepared by the butcher.

Dashain is also about family respect, so that is why scattered families come together. Cities suddenly seems to empty, more people returning to villages than people joining families in cities. During this season, people rush to book tickets on buses or planes.

Everybody tries to get home to see familiy

Children love the season also for flying kites and if you visit Kathmandu or any other city during this season, the day-sky is filled with colorful kites like shinning stars in the night!

Tika is a symbol on the forehead that the deity being worshipped is given the highest honor by the person wearing it. Getting a tika is also thought to be a blessing. The oldest person in the family begins giving Dashain tika to the youngest then the second youngest in the family and so on. There is a Hindu belief that 'faith', 'hope', 'inspiration' and 'blessings', all come alive in Dashain.

Traditionally, popular Dashain bank notes are Rupees 2, 5, 10, and 25. Therefore receiving a tika and offering money in notes is regarded as an appreciation. Everybody tries to get smaller and new notes, so banks are usually busy during the season.
The houses and temples are decorated. Walls get a new coat of paints, roads are cleaned, homes and temples are decorated with lights, villagers join together to clean or build new trails, paint their homes using red-colored mud. People clean themselves mentally too by visiting various temples and worshiping during the festival. Puja is regarded as worshiping god for peace and prosperity and are performed at the end of Dashain. Playing cards is a popular during Dashain. Usually family members play cards with each-other or with friends for money.

Village children ride on Ferris wheels, and swings built using traditional methods (ropes made from tough grass, bamboo sticks and wood). Commercial fairs and celebration events are organised in cities.

Some Christian visit their families but do not participate in eating the food sacrificed or receive the tika that shows participation in Hindu worship. Other Christians use it as an opportunity to encourage, train and coach new believers.


Pray for :

- Christian communities and leaders in Nepal

- Christian believers who face persecution from their families

- Organisations including UMN that are focused on development and anti-trafficking

- Nepal peace process and drafting of the new constitution

- Nepal security situation - there has been increase of petty criminal activities

6.8 quake hits Nepal and five lose lives in Kathmandu and Sunsari

An earthquake measuring 6.8 Richter scale jolted Nepal on Sunday, 18^th September 2011 at 6.25 pm. It was the strongest quake to hit the country in 73 years. The epicenter was between Taplejung in Eastern Nepal and the India state of Sikkim. There were 14 aftershocks of varying magnitude that were recorded. The number of casualties and extent of damage is still to be ascertained. However the Nepal home affair ministry had reported that 60 people were injured in a stampede whilst jumping off the building in Kathmandu. Three people died after the compound wall of the British Embassy collapsed in the aftermath of the quake.

The parliament session stalled 15 minutes after lawmakers rushed out of the the parliament building when the strong earthquake hit. 

My family was safe and we thank God for protection. Let’s remember to pray for families whose houses were damaged and those who lost their dear ones and friends.

When children live positively

In Nepal, some children are not spared HIV due to infection spread by migrant workers. A child is born with HIV virus because the family could not afford to meet their basic needs.  It happened because the father decided to go to India to look for a job and while there he was infected with HIV.  On his return it was transmitted to his wife and finally to the unborn child. 

According to a report published by the United Nations, labour migrants make up 41 percent of the total known HIV infections.  Nowadays people are more aware about HIV compared to the situation 10 years ago and the stigma faced by people living with HIV has decreased.  But no significant progress has been made when it comes to containing the incidence of HIV brought by migrant workers. UMN will expand its HIV work to focus more on migrants. The community’s capacity to reduce the impact of HIV will be developed and this will give hope to the affected people. If families are able to meet their needs then children’s lives will be protected. There are other cases of children who suffer silently and, because sufficient stigma still persists, the family is afraid to go for treatment, care and support. What kills is the stigma! 

Nepal has wonderful children

Pray for:

·        Children who are infected and affected by HIV

·        Migrant workers that God protect them

·        Female community health volunteers who are supporting  the needy children

·        Communities to protect the rights of children

Challenges for addressing HIV and AIDS in Nepal

A second national congress of people living with HIV was conducted in Kathmandu and 300 delegates attended. Most of the people living with HIV are poor and marginalized; poverty and low literacy remain the major factors that fuel the epidemic. Some could not access treatment due to stigma and living remotely. However, Nepal has made some progress as there are over 5000 people with access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

One of the challenges faced in the fight against the HIV is the fact that many people do not simply know their HIV status and also many discontinue Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) simply because the ART sites are far away from their homes. Viral load testing services are essential within six months of starting ARV treatment. Similarly drug resistance testing is also needed for those who are on ARVs for more than 3 years but such services are lacking. Livelihood support for people infected by HIV is limited and the media reports cases of discrimination against children affected by AIDS in Schools.

Please pray for the government here to ensure the rights of children affected by AIDS; formulation of a HIV bill to protect the rights of people infected and affected by AIDS; and for political commitment to respond to HIV and AIDS.

The United Mission to Nepal continues to support people infected and affected by AIDS for livelihood, treatment and care. The National Association of people living with HIV and AIDS in Nepal has been playing a crucial role ensure the right of women and children in regards to access to treatment services.


Women access information on HIV and AIDS. Some battle with effects of the epidemic and others are now educators.

 

Please note ...

... that I won't be able to access or update this blog for the next few weeks - sorry! Hopefully manage to blog more often starting end of July.

Prayers for a 'New Nepal'

UMN is partnering with the Nepali Christian Community to encourage churches to act on various social issues, and have input into building a “New Nepal”. Local facilitators are now trained to conduct workshops across the country for church leaders.

Please remember the following points in your prayer for New Nepal:

1. Local workshops with the Christian communities in Pokhara, Butwal, Damauli and Baglung next week to explore the social issues and possible Christian responses on them.

2. Local churches and Christian communities to initiate financial contributions for this movement.

3. Press Conference with local bodies next month to promote servant leadership pledge from the Christian community.

United Mission to Nepal's new logo

short break ...

This blog is taking a short technical break - back in a week or so!