HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS and the 'Good Samaritan' Program

The Catholic Church and the Bible Societies work together to bring hope and comfort through programs such as Where it the Good Samaritan Today?

View a photo gallery of the Good Samaritan program.

"When you are told that you are HIV-positive it’s like experiencing a terrible earthquake where you stand alone on the ruins of what was once your life,” says Immaculée Muhawe, a Rwandan mother. Immaculée is one of an estimated 22.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV (source: unaids.org). “Two things saved me from despair: friends I could talk to openly and my rediscovery of the promises in God’s Word,” she adds.

Both these ingredients form part of the Where is the Good Samaritan Today?, a Bible-based HIV/AIDS education initiative developed by the Bible Societies and run in partnership with Churches in many African countries. The program uses Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan to challenge people’s prejudices against those with the virus and encourage them to have compassion. It also uses Scripture to guide people towards moral sexual behaviour.

The 'Good Samaritan' program in action

In Cameroon, the Catholic Church is a key partner in the Good Samaritan program. Sister Clementine Ngong ministers to people with HIV and AIDS orphans in the Archdioces of Bafoussam and runs Good Samaritan workshops. "It has helped me so much, both personally and in my pastoral responsibilities," she says. "So many people come to me needing advice and now, thanks to the Good Samaritan program, I know that to say to them."

The program is having a real impact on people, according to Sister Clementine: "A young man admitted to me that it was only after Good Samaritan training that he was able to care for his ill mother. Also, more and more people are having blood tests, and some infected people are being accepted into their communities again."

Find out more from the Good Samaritan website.

New film boosts 'Good Samaritan' resource pack

Information provided by UBS HIV and AIDS Consultant for Africa Konstanse Raen and UBS Media Consultant Timothy Kamau.

Betty’s life is going well…until she discovers she has HIV. Her wealthy husband throws her and their two children out of the house, and Betty and her daughter embark on a desperate search for support – from her mother, from churches and from institutions. “But everywhere I present myself, I can read in their eyes: ‘Betty, why do you bother us?’” notes Betty. But some people are different, and two Good Samaritans appear on the road… This is a brief glimpse at the thought-provoking plot

View the latest news about the Good Samaritan program (.pdf document)