Discussion Guide for

“The Hidden
Faces of AIDS”
After viewing “The Hidden Faces of AIDS,” use this guide to research issues related to the
AIDS pandemic, reflect on how the video impacted you, recall what you learned, respond in
tangible ways, reach out with life-changing help, resolve to follow God’s Word, and rely on His
goodness and power.

Research
» H I V (hu m an i mmunodef i ciency vi rus) uses white blood cells as hosts.
When those cells are destroyed, the body’s immune system begins to fail and AIDS
(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) sets in. From this point on, opportunistic
illnesses such as tuberculosis and pneumonia are able to infect the body with virtually
no resistance, eventually leading to death. Antiretroviral drugs do not cure HIV and
AIDS, but reduce suffering and can prolong life.

» H I V a n d A IDS h ave a profound effect on household income and

community stability. AIDS pushes people deeper into poverty as medical costs rise
and households lose their breadwinners to illness and death. The process of passing
on knowledge and expertise—in land preparation, crop cultivation, handicrafts, and
cultural traditions—is undermined. Countries and regions lose a large percentage
of their working population, which results in lowered food production and fewer
professionals in vital roles such as education and medicine.

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» Th e A IDS epi demic is a major factor in the dramatic rise of orphans and
vulnerable children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that more than
15 million children are orphaned today as a result the disease, having lost one or both
parents. The number continues to climb.

» W it ho u t interv enti on, there is a one-in-three chance that an HIV-

positive pregnant woman will pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or
breastfeeding. Source: UNICEF, The State of the World’s Children, 2008

» Ne a r ly 3 mi llion people in lo w- and middle-income countries were

receiving antiretroviral treatment at the end of 2007. This represents 31 percent of the
estimated need. Source: UNAIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2008

» Es ta b lis h ed in 2003, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is
the largest international health initiative dedicated to a specific disease. The three goals of
PEPFAR are to treat at least 3 million people, prevent 12 million new infections, and care
for 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children, by 2013.

Research
H o w wo u l d y o u c haracter i ze t he general att i tude where you live
toward HIV and AIDS and those it affects?

A f t e r wat c hin g t hese stor i es of tragedy and res i lience, how has
your attitude changed toward those living with HIV and AIDS? Toward those whose family
members are living with or have died from HIV and AIDS?

I m a gin e y o u r c i rcumstance was like that of the 9-year-old girl in Uganda serving
as the head of her household, responsible for the care of her younger sisters and cousins. What
would your daily activities include? Your daily concerns? What would you imagine for your
future?

Recall
I n t h e D o m inic an R epubl ic, Rafaela, the mother of two children dying of AIDS,
had one wish. What was that wish, and what motivated her to keep praying for it to come
to pass?

W he n o n e o r b ot h parents die as a result of AIDS, on whom does the

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responsibility fall for the children’s care? What challenges are faced by caregivers and the
children left behind by AIDS?

I n Ma l awi, wit h th e help of World Vi sion, young people are becoming a

voice of courage in their community. Two times a month, a club puts on performances that
aim to do what?

R e c a l l W o r l d V ision’s w ork in AIDS-affected communities over the past decades.

What specific types of programs and resources are available through World Vision to
communities working to break the cycle of poverty and address the AIDS pandemic?

Respond
I m p r ovi n g H I V and AI DS educat i on is crucial to not only slowing the spread of the
virus but also breaking down stigma and discrimination against people who are HIV-positive.
How will you contribute by sharing accurate information about HIV and AIDS with your
family, peers, and community?

W h o is G o d calling you to serve today?

Reach Out
Consider making a difference in the following ways:

» S p o n s o r a Hope Chi ld livi ng in an AIDS-affected community for just about

$1 a day through World Vision. Provide your sponsored child with access to critical
basics, such as clean water, improved nutrition, healthcare, and education. Your gifts
will provide hope to your sponsored child and his or her community as they face the
daily reality of HIV and AIDS. For sponsorship information, visit
www.worldvisionresources.com

» B e c o m e a n ad vocate for c hildren affected by HIV and AIDS. Urge

Congress and the Administration to respond to the crisis by increasing U.S. funding to
combat the global HIV and AIDS crisis and ensuring children and their needs are not
overlooked.

» En c o u r a ge your c hurc h or ot her group to host a Caregiver Kit

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 assembly. These kits are given to World Vision volunteer caregivers in Asia, Latin
America, and Africa who are caring for people living with HIV and AIDS. Each kit
equips caregivers with a year’s worth of the practical materials they need to improve
and prolong lives while preventing further infection.

» V is it t h e World Vi sion Exper ience: AI DS . This interactive, walk-through

exhibit gives you a glimpse into the life of a child affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.
Visit www.worldvisionresources.com and click on “programs and events” for dates
and locations near you.

Resolve
» R e l ig io n th at God our Fat her accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look
after orphans and widows in their distress ... —James 1:27

» De f e n d the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor
and oppressed. —Psalm 82:3

» Go d s e t s th e lonely in fam ilies … —Psalm 68:6

» A n d if y o u spend yourselv es in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs

of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become
like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-
scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail. —Isaiah 58:10-11

Rely
Pray that:

» Fa m ily m embers and fr iends car ing for loved ones with HIV and AIDS,
and those orphaned by the disease, will be strengthened and find support to keep
providing for their families and caring for the sick.

» Go d wil l cont inue to use young people like those in Malawi as
leaders to educate others about prevention, transmission, and treatment, diminish
ignorance and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, and create
positive change in their communities.

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» Th e mil l i ons of people suffer ing without medication will receive
access to the antiretroviral drugs and other medications they need, and that leaders,
policymakers, doctors, and others involved would find solutions to the problems
associated with HIV and AIDS.

The Scripture in this resource is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by
permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, figures, Internet URLs, and other
cited information were verified for accuracy. World Vision Resources has made every attempt to
reference current and valid sources, but we cannot guarantee the content of any source and we
are not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since our verification. If you find an
error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within,
please contact World Vision Resources.

Copyright © 2010 World Vision, Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-
9716, wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

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 About World Vision
W o r l d V isi o n is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated
to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide
to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and
injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves
alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s
unconditional love for all people.

We envision a world where each child experiences “fullness of life”

as described in John 10:10. We know this can be achieved only by
addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way.
World Vision is unique in bringing 60 years of experience in three key
areas to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term
development, and advocacy. We bring our skills across many areas of
expertise to each community where we work, enabling us to support
children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

About World Vision Resources

E n din g g l o b a l po v erty and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on
human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision.

World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty,
inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources
to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our

resources, contact:
World Vision Resources
Mail Stop 321
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Fax: 253-815-3340
wvresources@worldvision.org

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