2 November 2011

The first case of HIV/AIDS in Bolivia was diagnosed in 1984. Now the number of those confirmed with HIV is increasing by more than 40 percent annually. In 2010, 186 cases were confirmed in Cochabamba, one of nine departments in Bolivia which has a population of 1,800,000. Reports indicate that the virus is predominantly among housewives, students, and government workers.*

SIM’s Quechua Radio Station, Mosoj Chaski, has sought for years to make the Quechua speakers of Bolivia aware of this illness, its cause, means of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and lack of treatment in Bolivia.

This year, three weeks before the first of December, World AIDS Day, Mosoj Chaski Radio will broadcast programs produced in Quechua by Quechuas about the HIV/AIDS illness.

Victor Campos, Director of Radio Mosoj Chaski, states:

I am concerned about the steady increase of HIV/AIDS in Bolivia. It is now present among both genders and all ages. Its transmition is mainly attributed to migration and the use of alcohol. The situation in which we find ourselves motivates us to produce programs that make our listeners aware of the illness and how to protect themselves from it. It is a constant challenge to produce new and interesting programs. It is not enough to be content with what we have already produced. We constantly need programs that freshly address this need so that our listeners are challenged to take the risk and consequences of HIV and ADIS seriously. As a Christian we have a responsibility to do this and challenge them to live as God desires.

Pray

• for the broadcasts airing this month in advance for World AIDS Day, for good reception among our listeners.
• for numbers of those with the illness to decline sustantially as a result of our broadcasts and witness
• for those living with AIDS today, for strength and encouragement and that they would know the deep love of Christ for them.

Give

Your gift will help keep Radio Mosoj Chaski air HIV and AIDS awareness and educational programming in Bolivia. If you or someone you know would like to give to Project 91141, we would love to hear from you today!

*Boliviapress.com, 20 Sept 2010