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this page Provinces - The Church of the Province of Central Africa
The Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) is made up of Botswana, Malawi Zambia and Zimbabwe with 15 Dioceses. Each Diocese has varying incidences of HIV/AIDS.
The Church has been involved in prevention of HIV/AIDS as part of her social ministry. However, the voice of the Church is not heard loud enough. Leaders are advocating the use of condoms instead of abstinence and being faithful but the condom approach is not working. The Church leadership needs to be empowered to take the lead and speak openly about HIV/AIDS.
Major Programme Achievements
- There are more volunteers being trained to work with the Church.
- Those who were working with other churches are coming to work with the Anglican Church.
- Other activities include education, IGA, empowerment of women and orphans.
HIV/AIDS Programme
HIV/AIDS has been the main focus. The HIV/AIDS policy has been done and the different Dioceses are at different levels of implementation.
- National Coordinators are in place in all the countries except Botswana where there is only one Diocese and a Diocesan Coordinator;
- Workshops and training of trainers have been carried out in capacity
building and training is ongoing in the following areas:
- Counselling
- Care and support
- Home based care
- Peer education
- working in prevention by drama groups.
- Outreaches are done in different areas on education and awareness;
- Diocesan Health Offices coordinate HIV/AIDS programmes;
- Counselling centres have been established and there is increased involvement of PLWHA within the programme;
- Participation with other organisations on HIV/AIDS activities;
- Sermons are being preached on HIV/AIDS in the Province;
- Youths and peer educators are involved in HIV/AIDS prevention;
- The Church is now working together with PLWHA and breaking the silence;
- More work has been done in pastoral care, care and support to OVC through home-based care;
- Bishops and Programme Coordinators were trained in 2004.
Malaria Programme
Malaria prevention, control and treatment have been integrated into the HIV/AIDSprogramme in some Dioceses of Central Africa Province, although the quantum of malaria prevention and care activities are still low. Activities implemented are:
- Education and awareness campaigns on malaria prevention;
- Insecticide treated nets provision to under-five children and pregnant women with the support of Standard Bank;
- The government has organised a tasks force on malaria which plans to include Faith-Based Organizations
Tuberculosis Programme
The incidence of Tuberculosis has increased due to HIV/AIDS infection. The situation is made worse due to resistance to sulphur drugs. Some work is being done but there is need to intensify work within the Province as a programme.
Lesson Learnt
- People come to the Church for help and they expect to get everything free. Due to poverty many people die from diseases that can be prevented and treated;
- Anglicans go to other areas rather than their churches for VCT for fear of discrimination. The Province needs to work on stigma and discrimination;
- Support groups are being formed e.g. The Circle of Hope.
Programme Challenges
- Funding has been a big problem for the different programmes with high fluctuation on foreign exchange e.g. Zimbabwe from 100,000 1,000,000
- Stigma and discrimination makes members of the Anglican Communion to move to other Churches;
- Diversity of cultures and beliefs is a challenge to for effective coordination;
- Communication in the Province is not easy. Geographical vastness poses a challenge to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes;
- Leadership needs to take a more active role and speak out. Some leaders are still not ready to know their status;
- There is need for the integration of tuberculosis as part of the malaria and HIV/AIDS programme;
- People need support (food and drugs) once they know their status;
- Stakeholders are not keen to work with Faith-Based Organisations including the Province. They prefer to work with individual Dioceses.
Recommendation
- We need to improve on communication in the Province and with CAPA;
- CAPA should help the Provinces to raise funds for programmes;
- Increase CAPA resources for programme work;
- The Church and the leaders must speak up to break the silence. This will increase programme effectiveness and help secure more funds;
- The clergy should continue to speak on stigma and discrimination;
- People need to be encouraged to come forward to the Church for help and support.
Conclusion
Although the Anglican Province of Central Africa can boast of implementing HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria programme, the Church should work together to educate and train people to change behaviour so that future generations are born free from HIV/AIDS.
There is need to appreciate that, Dioceses and countries within the Province have different cultures, languages, needs and practices. Patience is needed in dealing with each area and stronger Dioceses should support the weaker Dioceses. The Church needs to share experiences, use best practices in line with the Christ teaching and principles.
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