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Ten years on, what began as a loose network has grown into a dedicated network of the seven major faith umbrella bodies in Zambia with a clear joint vision of creating a proud interfaith network that is free from the threat of HIV and AIDS. These umbrella faith organizations are committed to networking, coordinating, building capacities and engaging in joint resource mobilization in order to have a faith based response to HIV & AIDS that is effectively coordinated and very well resourced to contribute quality life and reduction of new infections in the community. The ZINGO programme is guided by a 5-year strategic plan that comprises seven thematic areas and 17 strategic objectives which are closely linked to the national HIV/AIDS response. The programme is also guided by further commitments and promises by religious leaders to uphold and respect the dignity of marginalized groups such as people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children and the youth. These commitments and pledges are contained in documents such as the Care and Compassion Communiqué – our letter to all children in Zambia and their endorsement and support for the addressing of issues of sex and sexuality. Indeed over the years, ZINGO has created a movement of over 50 grassroots faith-based organizations (FBO) who are not only addressing issues of HIV & AIDS, but are also willing to engage in the issues that many people regard as “controversial” and “sensitive” issues for faith leaders. Such issues include: stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV & AIDS, gender based violence, sex and sexuality, child rights and corporal punishment. ZINGO receives funding from several international aid organizations, including Global Fund, USAID, Save the Children Sweden, Norwegian Church Aid and the United Nations Team, and oversees dozens of projects across Zambia from hosting monthly capacity building meetings for FBOs in Lusaka engaged in home-based care work to organizing “Kicking Out AIDS” sport competitions for youth to being one of three Zambian partners in Corridors of Hope II, a project raising HIV & AIDS awareness in Zambian border towns. ZINGO’s newest endeavor, The Fatherhood Project, aims to take a deeper look at parenting in Zambian society and hopes to engage fathers in the fight against HIV & AIDS by encouraging them to take active and positive roles in their children’s lives. We are highly indebted to all our partners for their support to the ZINGO programme. We share their excitement and belief in the power of interfaith networking and the effects that such networking can achieve to promote synergy and scale, participation and empowerment, learning and sharing, advocacy and collaboration which are all very important components for improving the quality of life and reduction of new infections within the communities that we serve. I invite you to be part of this exciting movement and help contribute to the improvement of quality life and reduction in new infections. Yours sincerely,
Yussuf Ayami | |||||||||||||||||||
Slightly over ten years ago, in 1997, at the height of the
HIV & AIDS pandemic in Zambia, a group
of visionary religious and lay leaders, gathered to form a
loose interfaith networking group on HIV
& AIDS with a very simple vision: to preserve human
life. Two years later, in 1999, this loose network had produced
an interfaith sexuality manual to help faith
groups working with adolescents and young people deal
with issues of sex –