International (MNN) ― The theme for World AIDS Day is "leadership" for 2007 and 2008. Leadership must be demonstrated in order to get ahead of the disease.
Much of the best leadership on AIDS has been demonstrated within civil society organizations challenging the status quo. Making leadership the theme of the next two World AIDS Days will help encourage leadership on AIDS.
Christian ministries are encouraging each other to take a stand in this pandemic. International Aid's Milton Amayun says one area where they're making strides is in getting clean water to people living with HIV.
"Clean water is needed to prevent infection and to prevent diarrhea, which is a major component of the illness, especially for those who are not on anti-retroviral therapy," explains Amayun. Water borne diseases are especially deadly to an already compromised immune system. He goes on to detail what they're doing. "International Aid does equipment, provision of supplies and AIDS prevention and education."
I-A's President and CEO Myles Fish says, "The World Health Organization has gone on record to state that more than 50% of the world's health problems are caused by bad water. The United Nations has set a goal to reduce by half the number of people who are suffering from bad water by the year 2015."
Making contaminated water safe is one of the simplest, most direct solutions for combating illness. And, in addition to the potentially dramatic public health impact, reducing waterborne infectious diseases can help combat poverty and promote significant economic growth in today's global society. The distribution of its new Plastic BioSand Water Filter and collaboration with its current and prospective partners helps International Aid bring these benefits to communities worldwide.
Through their response of providing clean water, medicines, supplies and equipment, the team is always mindful of sharing the Living Water, too. "People living with HIV are on the margins of society. ust the mere fact that our partners in the field are reaching out to them is already a demonstration of God's love. Often, there is a necessity for these individuals to receive a message of hope."
Amayun says it's as simple as A-B-C: ‘Abstinence,' ‘Being faithful ,' and ‘Caring communities.' It's the story of God's ordinary people finding a way to make a difference in the AIDS fight.
