Overview
As the AIDS crisis continued its ravages through sub-Saharan Africa, secular and religious responses to the crisis struggled to make a dent in the rising tide. The outpouring of support and money was achieving only limited success, often due to the fragmented nature of such responses and a lack of Afro-centric tools that addressed not only HIV and AIDS, but also the circumstances that caused the crisis itself. With the disappearance of an entire generation “Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic with more than two-thirds (68%) of all people infected with HIV living there.” (2007 UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update)
From HIV and AIDS, the opportunity to break the cycle and lead a Christ-centered lifestyle has become the single hope for African children today.
For Jos and Sylvia Holtzhausen, after ten years of working and focusing on the AIDS pandemic in Namibia, it became apparent that a new approach was needed. Because of the size and scope of the crisis and the devastating effects of the pandemic on society, it became clear that only an evangelical approach would do.
Founded by the Holtzhausens, Namibian nationals with thirty years of ministry experience, and an international cast of pastors and faith-based organization contacts, Christ’s Hope International began operations in Namibia in 2003. Since it’s founding, Christ’s Hope International has expanded into fourteen nations worldwide. Each nation falls into one of two categories: Ministry Countries or Mobilization Countries.
- Ministry Countries are African nations where Christ’s Hope International’s ministries are active. These countries receive support from the West and use it to expand the ministry activities in their nations. In 2009, aid from the mobilization countries has provided food and shelter to more than 1000 orphans and vulnerable children, Choose To Wait is actively being taught to thousands of children and teens and has helped to ease the suffering of hundreds of AIDS sufferers. The ultimate benchmark for the ministry nations is new believers coming to Christ. In 2009, Christ’s Hope International is actively discipling several hundred new Christians.
- Mobilization Countries are developed countries that “mobilize” resources on behalf of the Ministry Countries where needs are identified. These resources include money, materials (shipped by container) and volunteers. Partnering with churches, these Mobilization Countries have contributed millions of dollars and sent more than two dozen containers to African destinations. In excess of 1000 people have served on short-term missions teams and upwards of 300 long-term volunteers and staff from Mobilization Countries are serving or have served in Africa over the past six years. Beyond providing money for specific projects and needs, Mobilization Countries are the core of the staff fund-raising model that pays the expenses of full-time African staff.
The Mobilization Countries are: the UK, the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The Ministry Countries are: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Crisis:
As the sun sets each day in sub- Saharan Africa, HIV and AIDS have claimed 3800 lives and another 5200 men, women, and children are infected.
Our Purpose:
Bringing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to people infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS through discipling and caregiving, presenting them perfect in Christ Jesus.
Sponsors:
