Good Samaritan(Family)
Where is the Good Samaritan Today? HIV/AIDS Project.
The project which started in 2004, specifically targets churches and church related organizations who are trained as trainers to spread the concepts based on the story of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37. The purpose of the project is to challenge the community to take positive action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
This HIV/AIDS project is based on biblical approach aiming at preventing, reducing stigma, care and mitigation of impact.
TARGET GROUP
Focus and target is on the following groups:
- Potential trainers from different churches and church related organizations
- Church leaders
- Youth groups
- Students in high school
- Women groups
- Local community leaders
The Good Samaritan Outreach package.
In the Good Samaritan Outreach Package basic information concerning HIV/AIDS infection and how to care for those infected and affected is shared through case studies and sketches.Appropriate and applicable Bibilical passages are used appropriately to guide the reader or listener to a self understanding of the issues involved,and in so doing ,this will hopefully in turn lead to behavioural change.
The Package Consists Of:
1) A booklet called "Where Is The Good Samaritan Today?"
The purpose of this booklet is to integrate HIV/AIDS awareness material with Biblical guidance. The booklet is supposed to act as a discussion starter and allow the reader to come to a better understanding of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. It covers the areas of infection, prevention and care of those who are infected as well as affected by HIV/AIDS.
The booklet is available in languages including English,Luganda,Lango, Acholi, Ateso, Runyoro/Rutoro, and Runyakore/Rukiga.
2) Illustrated flipcharts
Illustrated flipcharts that should be used in conjunction with the booklet, they depict specific and appropriate detail.
3) The video "Where Is The Good Samaritan Today?" 
The video "Where Is The Good Samaritan Today?" that is based on the booklet and follows the content closely to ensure continuity.
4)The video "Who is responsible?"
is based on a case study from the booklet "Where is the Good Samaritan today?"
5)Awareness workshops
Awareness workshops on the usage of the Good Samaritan Outlook package, to ensure the best application of the package.
6) An audiocassette based on the adapted soundtrack of the video,"Where is the Good Samaritan today?"
COVERAGE
In our first year of intervention, we started in three districts (Kampala, Mukono and Luweero). We have however been able to reach out to other districts which include;Rakai,
Mbarara, Masaka, Kabale,Kabarole, Hoima, Kasese,Masindi,Wakiso,Kumi,Bukedea,Iganga,Kamuli,Mbale,Soroti,Kaberamaido,Lira, Gulu, Apac, Kitgum and Pader.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Our achievements can be measured under key objectives of the intervention.
- Behaviour change
Its sometimes difficult to measure behaviour change, we have always used testimonies and witnesses to measure this aim.
Church leaders have given testimonies how this program has helped them to realise the need of helping people living with HIV/AIDS. They also confessed that the project has provided them with tools and better church based methods to respond. This is evidence in the demand of our training materials especially the booklets and videos.
We have also seen 58 associations being formed in the churches and community after our intervention. Some of these have been encouraged by the church leaders for example in the Northern part of the country the Anglican church of Apac Vicarage has formed the Apac Vicarage Good Samaritan association which is covering 12 parishes and 45 sub parishes.
- Greater openness
We have also witnessed increase in openness and positive living by the church leaderships. People living with HIV/AIDS have been encouraged and motivated to take part in the church activities. The preaching in the church has since then changed, most churches that have gone through the Good Samaritan program have started supporting the people living with HIV/AIDS and orphans. In Lira, Lango diocese has set the third Sunday of the month as the week to visit, pray for and collect support for orphans and bed ridden community members. This is done to encourage more openness.
We are working with three big associations of people living with HIV/AIDS in the North we have Apac Forum of People living with HIV/AIDS, Oyam forum of people living with HIV/AIDS and in the eastern part of the country we are working with Serere women group of people living with HIV/AIDS
- Avoid discrimination, condemnation and renew the church’s social responsibility
Pentecostal churches in Kayunga have joined hands together and started the Good Samaritan Association to extend support to the needy people in their community; this association is composed of nine sub counties in Kayunga district with forty-five churches.
Churches are taking part in supporting people living with HIV/AIDS and many of the PLWHAs have been given opportunity to share their experiences and take part in the church ministry. One pastor in Kumi confessed that he had never prayed with and for a person living with HIV/AIDS and he was always afraid shaking hand with them because he thought they deserved it and he would get infected through handshake. But now after this training he is going to visit all those who are sick and pray for them and also contribute for their treatment.
- Empowering communities and reduce on poverty and other social ills
We have encouraged the formation of community support groups as a mean of disseminating the information to the interior. These groups formed are also the channels through which we distribute our materials. They have been useful in visiting the sick and supporting one another.
One of the groups in Oyam has started income generating activity to support their family in future. One of the income generating activity is to buy one goat in a month and give to a member and this is meant to revolve till everyone has got at least three goats. They have also started a poultry-keeping farm. This will help in improving their standard of living.
Religious leaders attending one of the workshops in Gulu
Fifty clergies received clerical shirts to support them in ministry
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