05 Sep 2019

Church plays a vital role in providing care in the era of HIV through supporting the most vulnerable people, the children, women and youth. 

Speaking at the launch of the Month of Prayer Against HIV/AIDS at Kadimo Samson Clinic in Serowe on September 5, Pastor Sylvester Kgaimena said the church’s involvement was vital in the resolve to fight HIV/AIDS as the majority of Batswana were religious.

“Church provides moral guidance to the community by promoting Biblical principles of abstinence and faithfulness in marriage, God is the only solution,” he said.

Pastor Kgaimena implored church leaders to lead by example as failure to do so would likely lead to their followers losing hope. 

He said government called upon churches and the society at large to take charge and stand in unity in prayer on the same course of addressing HIV/AIDS situation. 

It is a time for the Christian community to be challenged to reflect on efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Botswana,” he noted.

He said it is expected that through support from the church this national campaign will attain dialogue on strategies to contribute to the national response, a collective reflection on the AIDS situation and way forward.

He said the annual observance of the month of prayer gave the nation a chance to introspect and evaluate its efforts in fighting the scourge. 

Mr kgaimena hailed the church for the key role it had played in fighting the AIDS scourge since its discovery in the 80s.

He said the church promoted initiatives such as abstinence before marriage, community values and sticking to one partner.

The pastor indicated that the month of prayer held annually, started in September 1996 as a time of reflection.

Led by the Christian community, the month serves to provide a forum to individuals, families, groups, organisations and institutions to introspect.

He also indicated that Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention (BOCAIP) was mandated to coordinate month of prayer activities through a national committee made up of a network of umbrella Christian bodies such as Botswana Council of Churches, Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana, and Organizational African Instituted Council.

He mentioned that BOCAIP provided counselling, care and support to orphans and people living with HIV, and closely worked with District Multi Sectoral-AIDS Committee. ends