Missionaries of the Sacred

Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day. We invite you to read a couple facts about AIDS and to learn a little about some of the work the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (one of our sister congregations) are doing to combat AIDS in South Africa.

Did you know?

• HIV is the leading infectious killer in the world.

• The number of new infections each year is decreasing, but much work remains to be done. There were 3.5 million new infections in 1996, dropping to 2.7 million in 2008.

• In 2008, it is estimated that 17.5 million children under the age of 18 lost one or both of their parents to AIDS.

• 1.4 million pregnant women are HIV-positive and 2.1 million children are living with HIV. Most (90%) HIV-positive children were infected while in the womb, during birth or through breastfeeding. Treating a pregnant, HIV-positive woman with antiretroviral therapy can prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to infant. In 2008, about 45% of HIV-positive pregnant women in low and middle-income received the treatment, an increase of about 10% over 2007.

Two examples of what MSC and Daughters of OLSH are doing

The MSC Irish Province has a mission in South Africa. One of their projects is to train youth to educate and counsel their peers through presentations in schools and workshops in villages and Mission stations. They also provide pastoral care to those who are ill and dying as well as their families.

The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart care for orphaned babies and children who are infected with HIV/AIDS at Holy Family Care Centre in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The children are referred to them from local hospitals and social workers. The Daughters ensure that they have not only medical care and adequate food but also a loving and supportive environment.

Learn more about their work and how you can help by clicking on the links below: