An Interview with Amy Metzger, International Health Program Specialist for Compassion
How is AIDS afecting children around the world?
"Worldwide, more than 2.3* million children are infected with HIV. In 2006, nearly 380,000 children died."Globally, about 1,450 children, mostly newborns, are infected with HIV every day, many because their mothers did not have access to the medicine to prevent transmission."
How is Compassion helping AIDS-affected children ?
"Through our AIDS Initiative, a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, treatment and rehabilitative care. Our church partners implement these activities at the grassroots level."
How does our initiative help prevent the spread of HIV?
"We help prevent transmission of HIV by providing antiretroviral therapy for pregnant mothers, access to medication before and after birth, and education about the risks of breast-feeding."We also organize awareness campaigns, promote voluntary testing and counseling, and teach abstinence through our biblically based curriculum."
"Treatment is for HIV-positive children and those with AIDS. This includes visiting homes, monitoring white blood cell counts, and treating opportunistic infections."For those who need antiretroviral therapy, we step in to provide this. This strengthens the immune system and can grant the child decades of a fairly healthy life. This is significant since most people do not have access to the therapy."Our church partners also provide transportation to clinics and hospitals for tests, medicine and checkups. This and the other provisions give great hope to those who are burdened by this disease."
How is AIDS afecting children around the world?
"Worldwide, more than 2.3* million children are infected with HIV. In 2006, nearly 380,000 children died."Globally, about 1,450 children, mostly newborns, are infected with HIV every day, many because their mothers did not have access to the medicine to prevent transmission."
How is Compassion helping AIDS-affected children ?
"Through our AIDS Initiative, a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, treatment and rehabilitative care. Our church partners implement these activities at the grassroots level."
How does our initiative help prevent the spread of HIV?
"We help prevent transmission of HIV by providing antiretroviral therapy for pregnant mothers, access to medication before and after birth, and education about the risks of breast-feeding."We also organize awareness campaigns, promote voluntary testing and counseling, and teach abstinence through our biblically based curriculum."
How does Compasion treat HIV-positive children?
"Treatment is for HIV-positive children and those with AIDS. This includes visiting homes, monitoring white blood cell counts, and treating opportunistic infections."For those who need antiretroviral therapy, we step in to provide this. This strengthens the immune system and can grant the child decades of a fairly healthy life. This is significant since most people do not have access to the therapy."Our church partners also provide transportation to clinics and hospitals for tests, medicine and checkups. This and the other provisions give great hope to those who are burdened by this disease."
Can we really make a difference?
"Absolutely! Pray about how the Lord can use you. Some are called to share with churches. Some to give generously. We are all called to pray that children will have a better future, one in which they live to see their parents raise them to adulthood — and change our world in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
"Absolutely! Pray about how the Lord can use you. Some are called to share with churches. Some to give generously. We are all called to pray that children will have a better future, one in which they live to see their parents raise them to adulthood — and change our world in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
From Dan Mosqueda: Please visit www.compassion.com to find out more about how you can really make a difference in the lives of children around the world. You can also specifically donate to one of the most effective HIV/AIDS projects in the world. Please, do it now.
Some celebrities making a difference:
Michael W. Smith "My family sponsored Gavi Leticia Lopez Ponce since she was a little girl. I've had the privilege of visiting her in Ecuador. Over the years, I've seen the difference our monthly support has made in Gavi's life. She has grown into a beautiful young lady who loves the Lord deeply. Please join me. Sponsor a child who is searching for meaning, for hope … for a place in this world."
Amy Grant "Investing in these kids' lives through Compassion is a wonderful thing. Everybody deserves to have the basics in life. Being a sponsor with Compassion is something I truly believe in."
Rebecca St. James "In my own life I have seen God do total miracles. He truly looks after His children. That is why I am so passionate about the ministry of Compassion. We have the opportunity to practice God's real love to a hurting world and be our brother's keeper. I encourage you to be a part of this incredible ministry. You may be the only Jesus that child may ever see." Rebecca sponsors a child in Rwanda.
* Statistics from UNAIDS and WHO data from 2005 and 2006.
