Dear Friend of Nigeria,
Finally, we have tallied the returned surveys we took in Nigeria in May 2005. The results provide great insights about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria.
Below is a sampling:
· 1,122 students representing 36 percent of the total population surveyed (1 in 3 students) are affected intimately by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
· 166 students representing 5 percent of those surveyed (1 in 20 students) are already infected with the virus. That is scary!
· The most encouraging response is that 3,266 students, representing 98 percent of the total population surveyed, indicated that they are willing to do whatever necessary to stay free from HIV/AIDS. This means there is hope!
It is shocking to learn that 166 students we ministered to in May, three months ago, were already infected. There is no telling the number of those infected who did not indicate their situation to us. I came away feeling that what we need to do, we must do quickly.
Time waits for no one. Every year thousands of students graduate from High school. We have already missed many of this year's graduates. May it not happen again. In two years, we plan to cover the remaining schools in Benue state with the gospel and educational program on AIDS. The students must be saved while they are young!
The good news is, we have successfully distributed the 15,000 copies of AIDS booklet we printed. However, the challenge is the urgent need to print more immediately. Right now, we are looking for men and women who would join us to bring hope to the infected and affected victims of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria, and to educate young people how to stay free from AIDS.
The cost of educating one student is one dollar. Here is what one dollar will do:
- Print one AIDS Educational Booklet.
- Make personal contact with one young person.
- Give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to that young person.
- Call that young person to a life of moral purity.
Here is how you can help ...
$10 will help us to reach 10 students.
$50 will help us to reach 50 students.
$100 will help us to reach 100 students.
$500 will help us reach 500 students
$1,000 will help us reach 1,000 students.
$5,000 will help us reach 5,000 students.
Wow! Together we can make a difference. You and/or your small group may simply choose at what level you would like to participate. We need many supporters to participate in this War on AIDS. "The survey shows that 1,653 respondents or 50 percent of those surveyed believed that education and faith combined helped them to stay free from HIV/AIDS."
Would you help us to bring hope to these students? Use the enclosed response form and envelope to send your gift right away. Please, mark it for: War on AIDS.
Yours in His Service,
David C. Akaji
Vice President for the Africa Region
P.S.
· I do not have space in this letter to give you the detailed result of the survey. However, if you give us a call or write and indicate that you would like to have a copy of the "Survey Findings on HIV/AIDS among High School Students n Nigeria", we will send you a copy.
· As you read this newsletter, I will be in Ghana, then Nigeria, and Cameroon. Pray for me as I minister to my people in Africa. Pray for anointing, wisdom, health and protection on the trip.
· Now, we have the report of the War on AIDS program on video (be sure to let us know your preference, DVD or VHS). We want to send you a copy.
· Remember to check our websites: www.ebminternational.com or www.opendoorministries.net for updates.
