A contextual approach in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS

This book provides a contextual model that creates an opportunity for the Church to use the resourceful African philosophy of ubuntu-hunhu to support and care those for affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. The Church is challenged to tap into the traditional African aphorism ‘umuntu ungumuntu ngabantu’. Ubuntu-Hunhu which is key to the traditional African aphorism acknowledges that “your pain is my pain; your sorrow is my sorrow; your well-being is my well-being; your salvation is my salvation; your joy is my joy, ...” However, a striking feature of this book is the clarity on how HIV/AIDS creates an opportunity for the Church re-inculcate the spirit of non-exclusiveness, caring and interdependence which is at the heart of ubuntu-hunhu way of life. The development of the model is guided by the principles of an Asset-Based Community Development model pioneered by Kretzmann & McKnight, and drawing from ubuntu-hunhu philosophy. The model emphasises on the resources and assets such as traditional healers, traditional medical practitioners, ubuntu-hunhu values, and beliefs, stressing their incorporation in the strategy and approach by the Church to help mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.