Ones and Sevens and Hope

1 in 7. That's how many people in Malawi are infected with HIV/AIDS.

1 to 107. That's the teacher to student ratio in most public schools in Blantyre, Malawi.

Those are two sets of numbers I've learned about this week as I've been putting together stories about two different ministries here.

But thankfully I've also learned about Hope. And how two different ministries are seeking to bring it to those who are included in and impacted by these two sets of numbers.

HOPE for AIDS is caring for that 1 in 7 who are infected with HIV/AIDS through their Home-Based Care Programs. They're caring for the 7 in 7 who may not be infected, but are affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another. They're caring for AIDS orphans through their Orphan and Vulnerable Child Care Programs. They're trying to reduce that 1 in 7 through their Prevention Programs. They're doing all this by Enabling the Church, training faithful volunteers on how to care for and educate their fellow Malawians on the reality of AIDS and the Hope of the Gospel.

Bringing Hope to this little one. (photo credit: Rebecca Dawborn)

 

And this one. (photo credit: Rebecca Dawborn)

Rays of Hope is giving kids who can't get the teacher attention needed to succeed in school a place to get the help they need for learning. During the school year, they provide an after-school program to help almost 110 kids with homework and tutor them in subjects they're struggling with. They start off the program each day by feeding the kids, knowing that no child can learn when he is hungry. They use the feeding program and tutoring as an avenue to teach kids about God, incorporating daily Bible studies and prayers into the program, teaching them about the only true Source of Hope.

Children singing during the after-school program.

In the summer, Rays of Hope runs a 5-week camp for approximately 200 kids each year. Incorporating Bible lessons, sports, arts & crafts, English lessons, and more, the goal of this camp is to provide a safe and healthy environment for kids when they're not in school.

The Rays of Hope leadership team

They let me be in the girls' picture!

These two ministries are faced with huge challenges presented to them by the ones and sevens of the statistics. It's only through the huge God whom they serve that they can bring Hope into those lives. Our God is a God of Hope.

I'm hoping to have the stories I wrote about these two ministries finalized and put on the SIM Malawi website soon. I've been having some technical difficulties in figuring out the website, but hopefully those will be resolved soon! Also, I hope to be getting some more pictures on here in the next few weeks. In the mean time, you can "like" SIM Malawi on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SIM.Malawi) to learn news from the different ministries and how you can pray for them!