Every nine and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV.

In about the time it takes to watch this DVD, one more individual will be added to the 33.4 million human beings worldwide who currently are fighting HIV and AIDS.

AIDS is a globalized epidemic, but it has hit one region of the world harder than any other.

In Sub- Saharan Africa, Over 22 million men, women, and children live with HIV.

To help visualize the magnitude, a community of 22 million people infected by HIV is greater than the population of the continent of Australia.

Though faith communities may not fully recognize the impact of their own beliefs and behaviors, they often contribute to the hostility, fear, stigmatization, powerlessness and silence that help to spread HIV and AIDS.

How do religious people think about the status of women and the interconnection of gender, race and poverty?

These broad issues transcend national boundaries and local cultures, and they underlie the spread of HIV and AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people living with HIV, or who are at risk for HIV, do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, some 15 million children have lost parents to the AIDS epidemic.

Sprinkled throughout the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are reminders to take care of widows and orphans, the most vulnerable in society.

Caring for the sick, educating the ignorant, empowering the powerless – this is the work of those who follow the spirit and way of Jesus, the Christ of God.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the people, “Whatever you do to the least of your brothers [and sisters], you do to me” (Mt 25: 45).

In March of 2002, a group of African women could no longer watch as the disease continued to devastate families, friends, communities, and countries.

They met with Margaret Farley at Yale Divinity School and concluded that women in Africa must meet together, break the shame of silence about HIV and AIDS, and share their experiences and ideas with each other so as to confront the scourge of HIV and AIDS.

In an effort to respond, Sisters of Mercy Margaret Farley and Eileen Hogan formed the

The conference offers nuns in sub- Saharan Africa an opportunity to learn about HIV and AIDS, and to unite and empower each other to develop strategies to address HIV and AIDS in their cities, towns, villages, and communities.

To date, more than 1,000 Sisters have participated in AACSS

The Conference teaches:

Basic facts, a social analysis of its rapid spread and its demographic and socio- economic consequences

Faith-based understanding of sexuality, gender, power and transformation

The Church and AIDS – responsibilities, problems, possibilities

Cultural and cross-cultural issues

The role of women in responding to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Ethical and moral issues, especially regarding the prevention of HIV infection.

Sisters across Africa have developed country- specific action plans and have committed themselves to building networks and relationships among themselves and with other people and agencies already involved in addressing HIV and AIDS issues.

Ten years ago, a small group of women knew something had to be done to educate women in sub-Saharan Africa about HIV and AIDS.

They acted. What about you?

How can YOU help?

What will YOU do to help these women help their people to meet the challenge of helping the women and children live as God wants all God’s people to live:

– free of fear – fighting deadly disease – creating lives of care and concern for their families, friends, and neighbors

The All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister needs our help – your help – to continue its work. Won’t you help now, so that the ministry of hope and healing can continue?

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Eileen Hogan, RSM 2715 Bainbridge Avenue Bronx, NY USA Telephone: Website:

Produced and directed by Carol Rittner, RSM and Deirdre Mullan, RSM With thanks to Susan Allen and Nicole Magill