Every nine and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV.

In about the time it takes to

watch this DVD, one more

individual will be added to the 33.4 million

human beings worldwide who currently are

fighting HIV and AIDS.

AIDS is a globalized epidemic,

but it has hit one region of the world harder than any other.

In Sub-Saharan Africa,

Over 22 million men, women, and children live

with HIV.

To help visualize the magnitude, a community of 22 million people infected by HIV is greater than the population of

the continent of Australia.

Though faith communities may not fully recognize the impact of their own beliefs and behaviors, they often contribute to the hostility, fear, stigmatization, powerlessness and silence that help to spread HIV and AIDS.

How do religious people think about the status of women and the interconnection

of gender, race and poverty?

These broad issues transcend national boundaries and local cultures, and they underlie the spread of HIV and

AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people

living with HIV, or who are at risk for HIV, do not have access to

prevention, care, and treatment.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, some 15 million children have lost parents to the AIDS

epidemic.

Sprinkled throughout the Hebrew and Christian

scriptures are reminders to take care of widows and

orphans, the most vulnerable in society.

Caring for the sick, educating the ignorant, empowering the powerless – this is the work of those who follow the spirit and way of Jesus, the Christ of God.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the people,

“Whatever you do to the least of your brothers [and sisters], you do to me” (Mt 25: 45).

In March of 2002, a group of African women could no longer watch as the disease continued to devastate families, friends, communities, and

countries.

They met with Margaret Farley at Yale Divinity School and concluded that women

in Africa must meet together, break the shame of silence about HIV and AIDS, and

share their experiences and ideas with each other so as to confront the scourge of

HIV and AIDS.

In an effort to respond, Sisters of Mercy Margaret Farley and Eileen Hogan

formed the

The conference offers nuns in sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to learn about HIV and AIDS, and to unite and empower each other to develop strategies to address HIV and AIDS in their cities, towns, villages, and communities.

To date, more than 1,000 Sisters have participated in AACSS

The Conference teaches:

Basic facts, a social analysis of its rapid spread and its demographic and socio-

economic consequences

Faith-based understanding

of sexuality, gender, power

and transformation

The Church and AIDS –

responsibilities, problems, possibilities

Cultural and cross-cultural issues

The role of women in

responding to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Ethical and moral issues,

especially regarding the prevention of HIV infection.

Sisters across Africa have developed country-specific action plans and have committed

themselves to

building networks and relationships among themselves and with other people and

agencies already involved in addressing HIV and AIDS issues.

Ten years ago, a small group of women knew

something had to be done to

educate women in sub-Saharan Africa about HIV

and AIDS.

They acted.

What about you?

How canYOU help?

What will YOU do to help these women help their people to meet the challenge of helping the women and children live as God wants all

God’s people to live:

– free of fear– fighting deadly disease

– creating lives of care and concern for their families, friends, and neighbors

The All Africa Conference:Sister to Sister needs our help – your help – to continue its work.

Won’t you help now,so that the ministry of hope and

healing can continue?

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,PLEASE CONTACT:

Eileen Hogan, RSM2715 Bainbridge Avenue

Bronx, NY 10458USA

Telephone: +718 584-7751E-mail: aacss@aacss.net

Website: www.allafrica-sistertosister.org 

Produced and directed by

Carol Rittner, RSMand

Deirdre Mullan, RSM

With thanks toSusan Allen

andNicole Magill