A.I.D.S.

Ten years ago, those infected with HIV faced a grim existence. With little understanding of the disease - and little medical help to treat its symptoms - men, women and children with AIDS had little reason to hope. Theirs was a future filled with darkness . . . a darkness that held little more than despair and -- ultimately -- death.

According to the World Health Organization, of the 34.3 million people in the world who have AIDS -- nearly 24.5 million of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. 3.8 million of them are children under the age of 15.

According to the new report "Children on the Brink 2002" by USAID, UNAIDS and UNICEF, the number of AIDS orphans will increase to a staggering 25 million by 2010.

The Hope

But because of generous individuals like yourself - men and women who are contributing their time and financial support - hope is one the horizon! There are now more than 20 specific HIV medicines that are helping to preserve the immune systems of those infected with HIV for many years. And while not a cure, these medications are giving AIDS victims a chance to live normal, more productive lives.

The Missionaries of Africa are committed to helping those suffering with diseases such as AIDS gain access to the life-changing medications they desperately need! With your continued financial support - our missionaries can reach out to provide medical and pastoral care for those who long for a brighter future . . . for those who have suffered too long!

Orphaned by AIDS ...

Once upon a time in Africa there was no such a thing as an orphan. In fact, there is really no word for "orphan" in African languages, to define an orphan one has to resort to circumlocutions: a child without a mother and father. Even if both mother and father died being an orphan in our sense was all but inconceivable because there was always an older brother or sister, uncle or aunt, or some other relative no matter how distant who would be willing to take in such children.

AIDS has changed all of that, now there truly are orphans, children who have no close or distant relative to take them in. Many of them depend on the only family that they know, the priests and religious of the Church who are striving to straining point to take them in and care for them. AIDS is not just a cruel disease, but a cause of possibly permanent social disruption, the likes of which, Africa has never known.

Orphanages were once unknown in Africa and missionaries used to build schools for children, they are now building or converting schools into orphanages. Visit one of these orphanages and see how these tiny children cling to you, it breaks your heart.

Our Projects

Youth Alive Movement

For more than a thousand years, sexual activity in African culture has often been seen as a sign of virility and strength. Many believe that this is one of the key reasons why the HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - has claimed so many adults, teens and even children.

As Catholic missionaries, our priests, brothers and sisters are teaching African young people that maintaining abstinence while single and remaining faithful to their spouse during marriage are not only Gospel values, but values that can save them from the horrible suffering and death that is caused by AIDS. The Youth Alive Movement - which is being funded in part by the Missionaries of Africa - is reaching out to young men and women in Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Gabon . . . sharing with them the Good News that the battle against AIDS can be won. That their future can be filled with life!

AIDS Widows and Orphans Family Support

Through the financial support we receive from our friends and benefactors, the Missionaries of Africa are able to provide food, clothing, clean water, medicine, medical care and educational materials as well as pastoral care and counseling to those whose lives are being destroyed by this terrible disease.

Families United to Fight AIDS

Burundi (in East Africa) is one of the countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. Most of those living in Burundi are now teenagers - the majority of the adult population having died from the disease. Families United to Fight AIDS helps orphaned children connect with "intact" or host families to provide children with shelter, education, food, socialization as well as eventually finding jobs and learning to live independently.