World Vision workshop underway

WORLD Vision is aiming to mobilise faith communities in the country to strengthen their responses to the global HIV epidemic through its Channels of Hope programme.
World Vision Pacific Development Group (PDG) is currently hosting a Channels of Hope Facilitators Training workshop.
 The aim of the workshop is to engage church members to be more compassionate in their   engagement with HIV related prevention, care and advocacy.
Official opening of the workshop took place yesterday at a hotel and was witnessed by representatives from mainline churches of PNG, National AIDS Council and NCD Provincial AIDS Committee.
National director Curt von Boguslawski said World Vision was committed to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and recognised the role of churches and faith communities in achieving this.
“Through Channels of Hope approach, we can mobilise and assist faith communities to gain the appropriate attitudes, knowledge and skills to be able to defeat stigma and respond to care, support and prevention needs within their congregations and communities,” Mr Boguslawski said.
The Channels of Hope has its origin in Churches, Channels of Hope programme of the Christian AIDS Bureau (CABSA) in South Africa.
The training would be facilitated by co-author and master trainer of Channels of Hope Methodology Rev Christo Greyling from World Vision in South Africa.
He will be assisted by the team from India, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG.
The training also aims to equip church representatives to engage in prevention, home-based care and care and support for orphans and vulnerable children.
The training started yesterday and ends on Sept 16.