Anglican Church Takes HIV/AIDS Campaign to Schools
Abuja, Dec. 6 2005- The Anglican Church has taken the campaign to combat the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the Church's owned schools, to remind young people of the need for abstinence and safe health practices.
The Diocese of Abuja, in marking the World AIDS Day, held an education campaign, targeting students of the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Apo in Abuja.
Dr Christian Ebisike, Director Social Welfare of the Church, urged the students to stay away from teenage sex by making the word of God their companion.
“Sex is good but it is meant for married people. Wait for your time when you will be matured enough,'' he said.
He harped on the position of the Anglican Church which he said was sternly opposed to the loud promotion of the use of condom as a preventive measure against HIV/AIDS.
“They are advertising condoms. It is not safe enough. Condoms have disappointed many people," Ebisike said, adding “the greatest cover you can get is to obey the Lord, fear him and let the word of God permeate your lives.”
The wife of the Primate of the Anglican Church, Mrs. Susan Akinola, called for support and care to people living with the virus.
Asking the young girls what they would do if they found out that a close relative was living with HIV/AIDS; Akinola reminded them that the Bible did not allow for a blanket condemnation of those who were infected with AIDS.
“We should respond in a manner that mirrors the heart of God who is not willing that any should perish,'' she said.
Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba, a pharmacist and wife of a clergy in the Diocese of Abuja, gave a lecture on the nature and scope of the HIV/AIDS crisis under the theme, “Stop Aids, Keep the Promise.”
She gave succinct statistics on how the virus had continued to ravage the developing world, quoting a recent report that indicated that 14 million children under 15 years were orphaned by the virus.
She also quoted a recent UNAIDS report which said that three million people had so far died worldwide in 2005 of which about 570,000 were children.
At the end of the presentations, the students held a candle-lit procession around the Chapel of Grace Church Gudu, Apo in Abuja to remember the victims of HIV and AIDS.
The students also interacted with some persons living with the virus who had earlier shared their experiences with the audience that included members of staff, the clergy, church workers and staff of the social welfare department of the Church.
To make active their understanding of the pandemic, the students freely hugged and exchanged addresses with those living with the HIV/AIDS, radiating a Christ-like attitude and compassion.
