Distributing life-saving supplies to Syrian refugees, rescuing children from the clutches of malnutrition, establishing clean-water projects, planting churches, educating children—these are just a few of World Help’s many active initiatives. It comes as no surprise to most of our supporters that we work at a dizzying pace. We see firsthand that need takes no break. But at the same time, we must ensure that our efforts are maximized, our focus is accurate, and our investments are prosperous.
This week we were able to do just that. World Help was honored to join world leaders, humanitarian aid organizations, government agencies, and academics at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. to examine our collaborative efforts in the fight against the global AIDS crisis.
Since its discovery more than 30 years ago, AIDS has killed nearly 30 million people around the world, and today, more than 30 million more find themselves infected with this virus. With such a clear and obvious need, the urgency for both treatment and prevention of this pandemic is evident. And unsurprisingly, the focus of the International AIDS Conference was on encouraging continued and efficient action.
As a faith-based organization that has worked with thousands of AIDS victims in Africa for over a decade, World Help has seen lives transformed through strategic support. Whether it is through child sponsorship, Homes of Hope, or medical treatment—we’ve seen astounding results. And we were glad to learn that we’re not alone in seeing such improvements. In fact, faith-based organizations are seeing tremendous successe from their investments, with up to 70 percent of all AIDS provisions and treatments being attributed to their programs.
The leader of the Congressional AIDS Caucus Arizona Congressman Trent Franks said, “Faith-based organizations are the best and most effective at implementing aid and health practices.”
While achievements are an encouragement, the weight of this crisis remains huge—unattainable for any one group to solve. The proliferation of AIDS awareness through engaging ads, branded merchandise, and celebrity promotion has been largely unproductive. Rather than stimulating critical action, today’s society finds itself less concerned about discovering a cure than it was 20 years ago.
In many ways, the ongoing exposure to this need has fostered an attitude of complacency and has made the crisis easy to ignore. But for millions across the world, AIDS is painfully real; its symptoms intimately compromising . . . its effects devastating . . . its damage permanent.
Uniting against this universal problem is necessary. The faith community serves as an excellent model for such cooperation, but we must continue to work together until we achieve the goal of eliminating AIDS. One Ugandan statesman painted it in a simple and profound way: “Just as each feather is needed to allow the eagle to fly, so each one of us plays a vital role in the treatment and prevention of AIDS.”
What World Help has done within the AIDS community has made a significant difference in the lives of thousands. And this impact has been made possible through compassionate, caring individuals who decided not to idly stand by as people die. Your gifts have changed lives.
But it’s going to take more. In order to soar to higher heights, we need more feathers. Further generosity, more commitment, and greater passion are essential.
Will you join World Help as we recommit ourselves to invest in future generations . . . to work toward a common goal . . . to bring an end to the terror of AIDS?
– George W. Bush, addressing the 2012 International AIDS Conference
Learn more about our AIDS initiatives here.