Light a Fire

 

AIDS is a thief. It steals lives, respect and trust. It leaves devastation and hopelessness in its wake. However, God’s people are lighting candles in the darkness, those candles are giving healing and hope. But the need is overwhelming – we need to light a blazing fire.

 

 

AIDSLink International’s role is to transform lives and communities by mobilizing and equipping people to impact the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

 

As a part of the HIV/AIDS prevention work, AIDSLink cooperates with AIDS HOPE in teaching the CrossRoads program in a number of schools east of the South African city of Pretoria. The majority of students are between the ages of 12 and 13 and the program not only details the facts of HIV, but it also encourages students to develop a sense of self worth, to make wise decisions, and to truly understand the love that their Creator has for them.  

 
 

 

 

Unfortunately, many people in South Africa don’t fully understand that HIV/AIDS is primarily a behavior driven disease. Most psychologists claim that not only is knowledge needed to change behavior, but also new skills and new attitudes. The CrossRoads program has adopted this philosophy and teaches young students that in order to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS they need more than just facts.

 

 

Here are the responses of some of the kids after completing the one year program:

 

 Malebo  – I commit myself to stay away from friends that are a bad influence and I also choose not to have any sexual relationships until I'm married.

Revonal  – I'm committed not to do any wrong things with my friends.

Chrisjan – I am not going to do things that mess up my life and I am committed to make something good out of my life.

Luciano  – I make a commitment not to mess up my life, I want to enjoy life, have a good relationship with my family and also with my friends.

Mbali  – I commit myself to help my friends not to steel, I am committed to wait for the right age to get married and only then to have children. I'm also going to change my attitude towards my parents and the people at home because I really need to change.

Tanner – I will not have sex before I am married. I will not because I want to take my wife to be tested for HIV/AIDS and any other disease before we have sex.

Cole – I choose not to enter into adulthood doing bad and negative things or being sexually active.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These statements encourage us to continue teaching this programme to about 300 kids every week. And we trust that God reminds them of what they learned when they are challenged to make the right choices in life.
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