There is no editorial this week.

World AIDS Day, December 1

Zambia: Visit reveals country struggling yet hopeful

	Guest commentary  Susanna Herro

Editor's note: Susanna Herro, director of the Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach of the Diocese of Madison, visited Zambia in Africa with a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) delegation in September. Following are her reflections from that visit.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the international outreach agency of the Catholic Church. Perhaps best known for providing disaster relief, CRS is now in more than 100 countries teaching new farming practices, developing fair trade products, and working with communities to create better futures.

As part of building a network of support, CRS sponsored an Advocacy Delegation to Zambia in September so that CRS and diocesan staff members learned first-hand the breadth and depth of Catholic outreach.

As the Midwestern Region diocesan delegate, I traveled with 13 others to the capital city, Lusaka, then to the drier, more challenged southwestern portion of Zambia.

Why Zambia?

Many people asked, "Why Zambia?" The answer is that this country is one of the poorest in Africa, deeply affected by HIV/AIDS and international mining agreements, yet they are Lazarus people, rising with our partnership through CRS to greater entrepreneurship, better health, and stronger efforts to seek more just economic agreements.

The Zambians tease about their lack of international notoriety. They have been fortunate to be a peaceful nation since gaining independence from England in 1964. With more than 11 million people speaking 73 languages, it is a credit to their efforts to maintain harmony and a Zambia for all Zambians.

Zambia might not get media attention, but it is blessed with the attention of Catholics around the world through CRS, which has one of its largest workforces in Zambia, including 12 international staff and 84 national staff members and one CRS volunteer. In addition, there are many Catholic missions, hospitals, and hospices, supported from around the world.

Living with HIV/AIDS

Estimates of the percentage of people with HIV/AIDS vary from 12 to 20 percent. One reality is that everyone knows someone who is sick.

Another reality, stark and poignant, is that one million, or nearly one in 11 of Zambians are orphans. The elderly, struggling with the difficulties of aging, are also trying to care for the young, to hold families together.

CRS is a major partner in the world-wide campaign against AIDS. December 1 is known as World Aids Day and your prayers for all the victims of HIV/AIDS are requested.

Our United States Bishops' Conference wrote, "America and the world community owe much to the peoples of Africa. . . . Nearly 300 million Africans live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than one dollar a day. Most lack access to health services or safe drinking water." The combination of extreme poverty, lack of basic food and clean water exacerbates the very difficult campaign against HIV/AIDS.

CRS manages the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 12 of the 15 focus countries, including Zambia. This federally funded project includes funds to educate on behavioral changes such as abstinence before marriage and fidelity during marriage which have proven very effective in slowing rates of infection.

'Lazarus Effect'

But the really astonishing and hopeful results of CRS' work in Zambia is the "Lazarus Effect" of the anti-retroviral treatment being administered even in the far flung mission areas.

When I heard we would be visiting mission hospitals and hospices, orphans and caretakers, I knew this would be a heart-rending journey. I steeled myself to witness great suffering, but I was taken by surprise to witness the great joy of those living with HIV with energy and strength through anti-retroviral therapy.

As one man emphatically said, "I was lying in bed, waiting to die. Now I am strong. I can do any work! I just need a job."

This is why they are calling this treatment the "Lazarus Effect." Those who thought they only had death to hope for are brought back to life.

Hope is without price. Zambians, although continuing to struggle with poverty, HIV/AIDS, and food shortages, are seeing their loved ones brought back to health through CRS programs.

Effect of good nutrition

Early in our trip, we noticed that people were of fairly short stature. Only later did we learn that this is a sign of the severe malnutrition that Zambians have suffered.

A large percentage of people are "stunted," meaning they did not have enough food to develop to their potential. The challenge of creating a secure food delivery system has serious, even life-threatening, implications for those on anti-retroviral therapy. It has been shown that without the proper nutrition, the drugs cannot be absorbed as well, thus are less effective.

CRS has worked to develop food networks called Food Resource Banks. We were privileged to take part in the opening of one of these. The biblical injunction to "give full measure" was joyfully accomplished as we scooped pounds and pounds of grain into sacks for people.

Knowing that our Farm Bill creates the process to bring food to the outer edges of Zambia gave a new perspective on global solidarity. But it is also a cause for concern, as some are suggesting detrimental changes to this food supply.

Wealth for others

With a desire to open new mining development through international agreements, the Zambian government entered into a series of fiscal concessions that have not brought prosperity.

Through CRS and other partners, studies shedding light on the process are being utilized to try to bring Zambian contracts in line with international standards. Zambia produces a lot of copper, the price of which has risen dramatically. Unfortunately, the Zambians are not benefiting from this windfall. Catholics and others are trying to rectify this situation through public discussion and research.

Final thoughts

On World Aids Day, December 1, take time to pray for those who are struggling to live with HIV/AIDS and especially for the orphans and vulnerable children who need care. Working toward solutions, pray that more progress will be made in educating behavioral changes and prolonging lives.

Our federal Farm Bill is an important piece of the puzzle of providing nutritional support. Become informed by visiting www.crs.org or www.usccb.org   Remember that as we provide much-needed nutritional support and treatments for HIV/AIDS, we are providing children with a healthier future.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a presentation on these subjects, contact Susanna Herro, director, Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach, at 608-821-3087 or sherro@straphael.org

Mailbag

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Please include your city or town of residence. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald 702 S. High Point Rd. Madison, WI 53719-3522 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

There are no letters this week