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“Circle of
Friends”
After viewing “Circle of Friends,” use this guide to research the global HIV and AIDS crisis,
reflect on how the video impacted you, recall what you learned, respond in tangible ways, reach
out in life-changing ways, resolve to follow God’s Word, and rely on His goodness and power.
Research
» HIV (H UM A N IMMUNO DEFIC IENC Y V IR US) 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.
» HIV A ND A I DS DESTA B ILIZ E families and entire societies. Families lose income
when breadwinners die or become too ill to work, resulting in lack of food, medicine,
and other basic needs. Children are forced to work and as a result may forfeit their
education. Countries or 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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» A N E S T IM AT ED 33 MILLIO N people were living with HIV in 2007. Every day
nearly 7,400 people become infected with HIV and more than 5,400 people die from AIDS.
» W O M E N A CC O UNT for nearly half of all people living with HIV worldwide, and more
than half of HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
(The above statistics are from the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2008)
Reflect
IM A GINE Y O U F O U ND out you were HIV-positive. How would you respond? Where would
you go for support? What practical effects would this news have on your daily life and your future
plans?
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A F T E R WAT C HING T HESE ST O R IES of tragedy and resilience, 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?
Recall
C H IL DR E N IN NT H O NDO , MA LAWI , dream of becoming doctors, teachers, pilots, and more.
Why is going to school so important in communities like Nthondo? What obstacles to getting an
education arise when they or a family member are living with HIV and AIDS?
L IK E BE NS O N A ND B ENWELL, whose father died from AIDS, millions of youth have lost
“their guide, their leader” due to HIV and AIDS. Using examples from the video, discuss the many
paths a young person’s life could take after losing a parent or primary caretaker.
T H E V IDE O M A K ES C LEA R that awareness and openness about HIV and AIDS can create
positive change in any country. Using the following examples of World Vision programs, discuss
what made people want to get involved, what they do, and the effect it is having.
In Malawi – peer education, support groups, home-based care, childcare centers for orphans
In Romania – Kids’ Club
W H AT C O NC E R NS DO ES Georgiana from Romania have about telling her friends she is HIV-
positive? What do people risk when they are open about their disease? What is being and needs to be
done to break down the walls of fear and discrimination in Romania and other countries?
Respond
W E S AW IN T HE V I DEO how resources, support, and friendship give individuals hope in the
face of HIV and AIDS. For example, Kunthata makes donuts with friends to earn extra money,
orphans now attend school with the help of World Vision funds and volunteers, and Mihai finds
encouragement going to Kids’ Club summer camp. What can you do to give someone hope? In your
neighborhood? In another country?
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Reach Out
Consider making a difference in the following ways:
Resolve
»
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
— J O H N 15: 12
» Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and
oppressed.
— PS ALM 82: 3
»
But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the
parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with
it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.
— 1 CO RI N TH I A N S 1 2 : 2 4 - 2 7
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» For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and
awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the
fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.
— D EU TERO N OM Y 1 0 : 1 7 - 1 8
»
God sets the lonely in families …
— PS ALM 68: 6
Rely
Pray that:
» T H E Y O UNG PEO PLE we met in the film, and others living with HIV and AIDS, will
not be consumed by fear and anxiety for the future but receive opportunities to find joy and
peace in Jesus. Pray also that they will not feel alone but find someone who provides them
with support and friendship.
» FA M ILY M EMB ER S A ND FR IENDS caring for loved ones with HIV and AIDS will be
strengthened and find the support they need.
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., P.O. Box 9716, Mail Stop 321, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716,
wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.
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About World Vision
W O R L D V IS IO 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 see a world where each
child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we
know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty
and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique:
We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help
children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development,
and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of
expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for
children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
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