From Faith to Action - Faith to Action Initiative

HIV/AIDS and poverty threaten the safety and survival of millions of children across Sub-Saharan Africa.Family and community members struggle to provide for the increasing numbers of orphans andvulnerable children. Resources, meager to begin with, are being stretched to the limit. This is amounting crisis with no immediate end in sight.There is, however, a story of hope. In the midst of overwhelming human suffering, there has been a remarkablegroundswell of African faith-based and community groups rising to the challenge and responding to the needsof children and families made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.Every child needs the nurturing support of family and the experience of community in order to thrive.This publication highlights the programs and strategies that help ensure that children remain in family care.It describes organizations that are doing this important work, especially those established by people of faith inthe areas of Sub-Saharan Africa that are hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. All major religions share common ground inareas of social concern, upholding values such as respect for life, the importance of family and community, andconcern for the poor and underprivileged. Faced with children who are going hungry, without adequate clothingor shelter, out of school, and grieving, religious and community members are taking action.The organizations that have produced and endorsed this report fund many different programs serving childrenin African countries. We have witnessed the effective work of grassroots and faith-based groups rising to thechallenge of HIV/AIDS in their communities. Our work also has brought us face-to-face with the complex issueof institutional care. We believe that investing in community-based approaches enables children to be providedfor and cared for in families — where they grow best — and reduces the number of children who are left withoutcare or are placed in orphanages.One of the greatest challenges faced by faith-based and community groups serving children on the groundin Africa is that their work is under-recognized and under-funded. It is the intent of this report to make thebreadth, depth, and effectiveness of these local groups come to life. We offer From Faith to Action as a guideto faith-based organizations, congregations, and other groups and individuals seeking to contribute theirresources to support the needs of children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.On behalf of the 32 organizations endorsing this publication,Kerry Olson, Founder and President, Firelight Foundation1