Tide of Hope

In the 2008 Field Service in Liberia, the Mercy Ships HIV/AIDS programme “Tide of Hope” held three conferences to empower church leaders in serving the HIV/AIDS needs of their own communities.

During three six-day workshops, 74 participants from 13 churches increased their knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

They have now begun to sensitise their families and communities to the facts about the epidemic, particularly dangerous to the youth of Liberia, which make up 50% of the population.
 
The programme had a three-phase process designed to stir the interest of the church on HIV/AIDS issues.

Phase I involved sensitizing participants to the facts about HIV/AIDS and breaking the stigma of the disease.

Phase II was a six-day workshop where participants heard speakers, like Dr. Stephen Watiti, of the Midmay Centre in Uganda.

Phase III followed up the teachings to assess the programmes the churches had designed and offer support for implementing them.

In addition to the knowledge they obtained, the team encouraged participants to be an example to those around them by being tested for HIV/AIDS. On site was a mobile testing clinic for that purpose.

Church groups who participated in the HIV training workshop in an area called Kakata formed a network that includes about 30 churches. They want to focus on awareness and training, with a plan for targeting 8,000 people in one year.

Though a precise statistic for HIV/AIDS infection in Liberia is not available, best estimates put the number between 8-10% of the population.

The struggling medical and educational infrastructures need much help to keep the percentage from growing, and the Mercy Ships "Tide of Hope" has planted seeds for that purpose.