The HIV infection rate among adults in Swaziland in 2007 was around 26 per cent, and as high as 39 per cent among pregnant women. Significant factors in the spread of HIV are the practice of having several sexual partners at the same time and the sexual exploitation of young girls by wealthy older men. The consequences of the spread of HIV are tearing families apart: orphaned children have to take on the role of head of the family, grandmothers are left to raise their grandchildren. These families are in a precarious economic position and need psycho-social support.

You might expect better from a society which is 80 per cent Christian. But it is precisely among Christians that the longstanding stigmatisation of AIDS has greatly fuelled its spread.

The Bible Society aims to position itself as a firm foundation of support in turbulent times. Since its anti-stigmatisation campaign was launched in 2004, it has launched a range of prevention initiatives for young people, along with hospital visiting services and counselling for families and couples. There are also literacy projects and psychological and spiritual support for carers. In collaboration with the AIDS Help Centre, the Bible Society is supporting work being undertaken by churches and within communities. Most projects are being carried out with organisations which have the necessary experience, such as the Ministry for Education, UNICEF, Church-run youth organisations, the national AIDS assistance program, churches and NGOs.

Signs of success

This is a difficult battleground, but there are signs of success. “More than 200 churches have participated in our anti-stigmatisation campaign and 400 community leaders have been trained,” says Bible Society General Secretary Sphiwe Ngwenya. “They are taking their learning back into their communities.”

The results are clear to see: groups of people are caring for the sick and others are raising awareness with small drama presentations. Still others are sacrificing part of their income to buy food for those in need, organising transport or paying the healthcare costs of sick neighbours. Many churches are organising AIDS tests, offering targeted spiritual support and encouraging open discussion about HIV. Some communities have opened a small social centre where orphans receive meals.

“Our work has been particularly successful in the Shiselweni region. We are constantly getting requests from there for more help,” says Mrs Ngwenya.

So far, more than 4,075 young people have been reached. Of them, 15 per cent have promised to change their behaviour, to remain abstinent and to support each other. Swaziland’s population is very young: 56.2 per cent are aged under 24. During a meeting held as part of the Bible Society’s youth program, the deputy head of government said, “The Bible Society is focusing on children and young people aged between eight and 14. They account for around 14.1 per cent of the population. The Bible Society’s work is targeting a section of our population for whom lifestyle change is particularly important.”

'Nothing can separate me from God'

S’lindzile Dludlu, an 11-year-old from Ngonini Estate, views the program very positively. “My self-confidence has really improved. I have learned that I am in God’s hands and that nothing can separate me from him, even though I am an orphan and growing up in difficult circumstances. I know that, because God loves me, I can work well at school and become a good person in the future. I also know that sexuality is a gift that you must treat carefully. I want to make God happy by keeping this gift safe until I finish school and get married.”

The Bible Society is also supporting other disadvantaged social groups, including the deaf and people with a visual disability. Among initiatives in this area is the recording on DVD of the Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew in sign language. This project prompted the government to start an initiative to give people such as nurses and police officers basic sign language training. More broadly, the Society’s audio Scripture project has reached 3,705 children in schools, social centres and Bible clubs.

Where does Mrs Ngwenya get the motivation and energy for this demanding work?

“I am encouraged when our work makes people smile, showing that they have hope for the future. Somebody who has been changed by God’s Word is like a burning match – he or she can spark a large fire and bring warmth to many people.”

She is convinced that there is nothing that can match God’s Word in changing people’s lives.

“If we manage to touch a child or a disabled person, then that gives meaning to my work. That’s an opportunity to honour God, who put me on Earth to reach others.”