Task Force Graduation

Several weeks ago I (Michaele) had the privilege of joining a “graduation” ceremony for the newest care supporters of the Nazarene HIV/ AIDs Task Force. Care supporters are individuals who have volunteered to provide consistent care, encouragement and support to HIV patients and their families. One care supporter I met in the eastern district of Swaziland has twenty clients that she looks after, seeing each of them at least once a week. It is the care supporters who make sure these clients are getting the right medicines and staying on their ARV’s (Anti-retro-viral treatment helps the body to fight against HIV and prolongs health and life). Care supporters also work to provide food and other goods when they are needed, as well as emotional and spiritual support. Much of this support is gained through the formation of HIV support groups, some of which form garden co-ops and begin garden projects together. All of these efforts have a remarkable impact and do an amazing job at prolonging life, increasing awareness of HIV, and de-stigmatizing the disease and those who are infected.

New care supporters go through an intensive three-week training process before they are sent to do the work. I was able to join them for the closing ceremony of this training. They shared a short drama depicting a typical scenario in which the care supporters would work: A young lady who is bed ridden is prohibited by her father, mother and aunt from seeking medical help because they are convinced she has been bewitched or that is the work of some ancestor’s curse. The care supporter made regular trips to the family before finally being able to take the young lady to see a doctor for TB treatment and to begin ARV’s. When she returns, healthy, to her family they are all amazed at the miracle that has taken place and the care supporter is able to pray with the family.

I was so impressed and touched by the emotions depicted in the drama and those of the other care supporters watching it. The drama depicted the true-to-life difficulties each of these new care supporters will face, yet they were ready and eager to take on the challenge. The keynote speaker was a woman from a similar organization that focuses on youth, Acts of Faith, supported through the Mennonite church. Her address focused on why we as Christians are different in the care we provide and in the way we respond to these challenges. She said we as Christians are blessed by the dying not because we do big things, but because we can do the small work of touching and changing someone’s heart. Again I saw the agreement and even the excitement in the faces of the new care supporters and was overwhelmed by their determination to do the hard, hard work of giving the smallest acts of compassion in the face of a horrible, depressing situation.

To close their session they sang a triumphant-sounding song that matched in melody and rhythm any siSwati praise song I had heard. Yet I kept hearing “A-R-V’s” at the end of the refrain. I asked for a translation of the song, and this is what I got: I promise never to forget my ARV therapy/ I promise never to quit my ARV therapy/ In the morning and in the evening its ARV therapy (2X)/ I promise never to quit my ARV therapy. So, in addition to using drama, the care supporters have also written this and other songs to communicate to and rally their clients.

These are the wonderful men and women (mostly women) who are doing the work that will turn the tide of the HIV crisis! These are the people who are really on the frontlines, being the hands and feet of Jesus in more ways that we can count. These are our brothers and sisters who I love and have the highest respect for. These beloved people are the ones who need to be covered in our constant prayers!

The Nazarene Task Force has, at present, around 114 such volunteers in all four districts. Please join us in prayer for their leaders, Mary Magagula and Evelyn Shongwe. You can find information about them and how to donate at NCM.org.