Discussion Guide for

“AIDS
Photo Montage”
After viewing “AIDS Photo Montage,” use this guide to research the global HIV and AIDS
pandemic and its impact on children; reflect on how the video touched 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.

» T h e r e a r e 15 million chi ldren who have been orphaned by AIDS

worldwide, of which 12 million are in sub-Saharan. This number is expected to reach
14 million by 2015. Source: UNAIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2008

» Chi l d r e n orp h aned or made v ulnerable by AIDS are at risk of

malnutrition, illness, abuse, child labor, and sexual exploitation; these factors, in turn,
increase their own vulnerability to HIV infection. They also suffer the stigma and

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 discrimination often associated with HIV and AIDS and may be denied education,
work, housing, and other basic needs as a result.

» G l o b a l ly, th e number of children youn ger than 15 years living

with HIV increased from 1.6 million in 2001 to 2.0 million in 2007. Almost 90 percent
of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: UNAIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2008

» I t is e s ti mated th at 90 percen t of children living with HIV acquired the

virus during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
Source: UNAIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2008

Reflect
Ta k e a q uie t m omen t t o pray for children who have been impacted by AIDS and
those who are living with HIV and AIDS.

W h at pa rti c u l ar st ory or ima ge from the film struck you most?

H a d y o u b e e n c onfron ted before with images that expose the reality of suffering
caused by AIDS? Has watching this video changed your perception of the HIV and AIDS crisis,
particularly of children made vulnerable by AIDS?

Recall
Du r in g the tim e you wat c hed this vi deo, how many children like Patrick,
Lucia, Christopher, and Flossy lost parents to AIDS?

W h o is l e f t t o take care of children when their parents die as a result of

AIDS? What if there are no more adults in the family?

L o s in g a pa r e nt t o A IDS, or even caring for a parent afflicted with the disease, is a

tragic and life-altering event. For children living in poverty, it can mean, among other things,
going without food, dropping out of school, working casual labor jobs, being exposed to
dangerous circumstances, and living on the streets. Discuss what kind of future these children

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face. What are their immediate needs? What must they do each day to simply survive?

W h at s h o u l d b e the role of local commun iti es, governments, and

humanitarian organizations in caring for children made vulnerable by AIDS?

Respond
O n e way in whic h local commun ities, governments, and organizations like
World Vision are trying to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS is providing people with accurate
information about its prevention, transmission, and treatment. How can you accurately educate
people in your community about HIV and AIDS?

J u st a s wat c hi n g thi s vi deo may have motivated you to do something to help

children made vulnerable by AIDS, how can you make other people aware of the global HIV
and AIDS crisis and encourage them to do something?

Reach Out
Consider making a difference in the following ways:

» S p o n s o r a c hild living in an AIDS-affected community. For just about $1 a

day, you’ll help him or her access critical basics, such as clean water, healthcare,
education, and improved nutrition, plus counseling and assistance in caring for sick or
dying parents. Your commitment will provide hope to your child and his or her entire
community. For sponsorship information, visit www.worldvisionresources.org.

» B e c o m e a n ad vocat e for children 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 age your c hurc h or other group to host a Caregiver Kit 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.

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» V is it the World Vi sion Experience: AIDS. This interactive, walk-through
exhibit gives you a glimpse into the life of a child affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.
Visit www.worldvisionexperience.org for dates and locations near you.

Resolve
» “ M y c o m mand is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” —John 15:12

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

» B u t G o d has comb ined 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 Corinthians 12:24-27

» Fo r th e L ord 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. —Deuteronomy 10:17-18

» G o d s e t s the lonely in families ... —Psalm 68:6

Rely
Pray that:

» Chi l d r e n livi ng with HIV and AIDS, and those orphaned or made vulnerable
by 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
will find the material and emotional support they need.

» T h e in dividuals and or gan izati ons caring for children made vulnerable
by AIDS throughout the world will receive the funding, resources, and staff and
volunteers to provide care for these children and opportunities for their future.

» G o d wil l con tinue us in g young people as leaders to educate others about

prevention, transmission, and treatment of HIV and AIDS; diminish ignorance and
discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS; and create positive change in
communities affected by the disease.

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» T h e mil l i ons of people suffering without medication will receive access to the
antiretroviral drugs and other medications they need, and that leaders, policymakers,
doctors, and others will 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., 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 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 gl o b a l po verty 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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