Souper Sunday 2013

Some facts and figures Today, over 34 million people around the world are living with HIV including 2.5 million children. In 2011, there were 2.5 million new infections diagnosed, and 1.7 million people died of HIV -related diseases.

Some facts and figures There is still no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral medication (ARV), taken regularly and with food, allows a person living with HIV to live a relatively normal life.

Some facts and figures The total number of children born with HIV has decreased by 24% over the past 5 years. One of the most difficult aspects for people infected or affected by HIV is the stigma and discrimination they experience within their own communities.

How Souper Sunday began It began in 2008 when the then Moderator, Very Rev David Lunan, challenged all Presbyteries to raise money for the HIV/AIDS Project.

How Souper Sunday began Enterprising Lothian Presbytery minister Rev Dr Robin Hill dreamt up “Souper Sunday” as a way of raising £10,000 in one day, while also giving ministers a day off.

Then ……… Rev Robin Hill wrote a complete order of service which could be led by elders; with the content focussed on the HIV/AIDS Project, the service was to be followed by a fellowship lunch with soup. Robin persuaded all the churches in Lothian Presbytery to do this on the same day – “and we raised £12,000 in only two hours!”

Then ….. The idea was enthusiastically taken up by the General Assembly the following year, and the iconic date of chosen, when churches throughout Scotland were invited to hold their own Souper Sunday. Many such services were planned, but because of weather conditions, many had to be postponed.

2011 The date chosen for 2011 also fell foul of the weather, but by then we had realised that it was easier for churches to choose the date which suited them best, any time in the year.

2012 In 2012, Souper Sundays were held in every month. In some cases, ice cream replaced soup, in Super Sundaes! Since 2009, almost a quarter of a million pounds has been raised.

Thank you for your support Whether this is your first or fourth Souper Sunday, we want to thank you for your support for the Church of Scotland HIV Programme.

How the funds are used Skills training and micro-credit schemes help people living with HIV to earn a living, but also to regain a sense of worth and dignity.

China The Amity Foundation runs a project in Longchuan County, near the border with Myanmar; it is an area badly endangered by drugs and HIV and AIDS.

China The project works with 10 village groups in Guangsong Village in Jhinghang Town, with a population of 2,380, of whom 70 (3%) are infected with HIV. The project offers skills training in sugar-cane growing, and rearing livestock like pigs, chickens and goats.

China

Loans enable families to begin building up their livelihood. Last year, 16 households received loans of 2000 yuan (£200), 3000 yuan (£300), or 5000 yuan (£500) The interest repayable on the loan is 2%, and households are visited regularly, and support offered if problems are identified.

China The loans have made a marked impact on families living with HIV : Enabling them to have a secure income, Giving a tremendous confidence boost, Enabling them to farm their land properly. Neighbours in the villages can see the big changes in their lives.

China

Malawi Our friends in the Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission designed and delivered a course aimed at young couples, about to be married or newly married.

Malawi This course laid out the facts and fictions around HIV, explained how it is spread, and encouraged fidelity and communication between couples. In its pilot year, 24 counsellors were trained to deliver the course in their own communities.

Malawi The Training was to build the capacity of Counsellors and educators to enable them to attain skills, using the couple counselling guide, on how they can help in strengthening marriages by reminding them of their commitment to God and each other and by offering practical skills.

Malawi One of the participants Mrs. Enifa Mussa pleaded with the church leadership to be holding more such seminars which she said will form a basis of strong families and in the long run will help to build a strong church.

India Deep Griha’s DISHA project in Pune works in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in that city.

India Since 2005, they have been running A nutrition programme for clients Drop-in centre with recreation facilities Counselling services Home-based care and support Referrral services Weekly outpatient clinics Income-generation programme (helping clients achieve financial security) Community awareness sessions.

India This year, they have produced an information booklet in Braille about HIV, the first ever of its kind. They also run a Melava+, a matrimonial event for people living with HIV; Over 400 people came from 5 states, and 17 couples were eventually married as a result.

India The DISHA team in their distinctive red saris conducting a community awareness session.

Malawi Around 500,000 children have lost one or both parents as a result of HIV and AIDS. The Ekwendeni Hospital AIDS Programme has a programme specifically aimed at orphans and vulnerable children.

Malawi This offers Community based child care programmes (for 6 and under, with a meal provided daily) Children’s corners held every Saturday Provision of food and farm inputs to families

Malawi There are 20 Children’s corners with an average attendance of almost 300; 16 children have their secondary school fees paid; 4 girls are currently at teacher training college; 49 families have received farm inputs.

Malawi There are now 23 orphan care committees, 321 Community-Based Child Care Centres, 20 children’s corners. 209 children who have been involved with the programme are now employed or self-employed.

Malawi There is effective psycho-social and spiritual care, Primary pupils in CBCCs perform well above average in school, Volunteers in the community mobilise their own resources, planting communal gardens and getting support from community members.

Malawi “If left without support, these children would not only fail to access good education, but they would also indulge in non-wanted behaviour, thereby making them unproductive citizens, now and in the future,” says Esther.

Malawi

Israel The Galilee Society is the now the main source of HIV-based education for young people in the local Arab Community; They work in secondary schools and community groups.

Israel They train peer educators. Produce excellent resources. Use the local radio to get their message across. Their work is challenging, as there is still a lot of denial around HIV and AIDS.

Israel 20,000 copies of this pamphlet in Arabic have been printed and distributed

Israel Local students attending one of the Health Days run by the Galilee Society

Malawi In a remote village, 60 kilometres from the hospital in Ekwendeni, the Livingstonia Synod AIDS Programme (LISAP) discovered at least 14 children who were living with HIV and were quite ill, because of the lack of food.

Malawi For the past two years LISAP has been delivering sacks of maize flour, beans, and cooking oil to the 14 families each month. None of the children have been ill since the project started.

Malawi “When I see the changed life of Usisya HIV positive children who are fed and cared for with funding from the Church of Scotland, I cannot think of a better miracle than this.”

Malawi “All these children were on the death bed 2 years ago.”

Malawi “This red van descending through the hills is a sign of hope and life to the people of Usisya. This is the time of getting their rations; this is the food that has given them life.” Mphatso, LISAP Director

Zimbabwe The boys and staff from Lovemore Children’s Home with some of the chickens funded by Souper Sunday

Zimbabwe The HIV Programme gave a grant of £5000 to Lovemore to set up a poultry project. This paid for the construction of a chicken coup, chickens and feed, and some training for staff and the boys.

Zimbabwe The children now have a source of food, and also a source of income, as the Home can sell the eggs and some of the chicks. No wonder they look happy!

Scotland There are an estimated 5000 people in Scotland living with HIV (about 25% of whom are unaware of their status.) The biggest issue facing people in Scotland who are living with HIV is the fear of stigma and discrimination. We are proud to support the work of Positive Help in Edinburgh.

Scotland who give practical help through home support, transport and children and young people befriending services. Positive Help recruit, train and supervise volunteers

Scotland Our grant will enable Positive Help to recruit and train 12 new drivers over the next 12 months, and to meet some of the costs incurred by the transport service.

Scotland By providing lifts for food shopping volunteers are also able to offer : home support assistance with cooking, cleaning and companionship.

Scotland By helping with transport to school and holiday clubs they are able to : foster relationships with families that can benefit from Positive Help’s children & young people befriending service.

Sri Lanka The Women’s Development Centre works closely with commercial sex workers (CSWs) in the city of Kandy. The main focus of the WDC HIV project is on prevention. They also have an important rehabilitation programme.

Sri Lanka Last year, they provided: 13 awareness programmes (4 with rural women, 4 with youth, 2 with theological students and 3 with sex workers) 2000 leaflets which were distributed on World AIDS Day A street drama for 600 spectators. A Rehabilitation programme for CSWs, Access to medical attention.

Sri Lanka The WDC is recognised by police and others in authority for their HIV work. WDC hopes to extend the programme in collaboration with other partners. WDC acknowledge that the support from the Church of Scotland kept this project alive.

Sri Lanka Members of the self-help group: (left) one at her brick kiln and (right) one rearing poultry A self-help group meets monthly. Through this, micro-credit loans of Rs30,000 (£160) have been given.

Malawi The local health clinic and the local church in the parish of Chileka have trained 50 volunteers to be able to deliver home-based care to those in their community living with HIV. The volunteers with their bicycles which help them get around the area.

Malawi The project has influenced the change of attitude from family level to the large community level. First, the church attitude towards the individuals infected and affected by HIV has changed from discriminative to accommodative approaches. Many have accepted voluntary work to serve the people living with HIV whilst in their respective homes.

Malawi The nearby government clinic has assisted in establishing a referral system; hence critically ill patients get medical help without delay. Pastoral work by the church minister is becoming easier because volunteers are doing much work amongst the sick.