Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 30, 2001
"With privilege and honor, The Balm In Gilead accepts the call to expand its commitment to work with faith communities to address the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the African continent," says Pernessa Seele, CEO and Founder, The Balm In Gilead. "This historical initiative will motivate the leadership of faith communities to seek effective and culturally appropriate ways to address the destructive force of AIDS throughout the African Diaspora."
The participation of religious institutions and leaders in addressing HIV/AIDS throughout Africa is essential. The Balm In Gilead's Africa initiative will work closely with the faith communities within each country to seek ways that faith-based organizations can use their influence, resources and public forums for a number of vital efforts including: disseminating HIV prevention education; supporting interventions that help decrease mother-to- child HIV transmission; encouraging and assisting with voluntary HIV testing and counseling programs; and addressing the horrendous challenge of children orphaned by AIDS.
In 1998, 67 percent of the world's AIDS cases were in Sub-Saharan Africa -- an estimate of 22.5 million cases. The World Health Organization reveals that the disease is the leading cause of death in Africa. In the United States, AIDS is the number one cause of death for African American men and women aged 25 to 44, before heart disease, cancer and homicide.
The Balm In Gilead is the only organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to empowering churches to address HIV/AIDS in the Black community. Over the past 13 years, The Balm In Gilead's pioneering achievements have enabled thousands of churches to become leaders in preventing HIV by providing comprehensive educational programs and offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek and maintain treatment.
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