DHADING, NEPAL - CMS partners were on the streets for World Aids Day, campaigning against the stigmatisation of people living with HIV and AIDS.
Bhibin Shakya, a CMS co-mission partner and director of Grace Community Services, reported how his NGO joined forces with local schools, organisations and health workers to hold a marketplace rally on 1 December.
They organised street drama to get the message across that people living with HIV and AIDS should not be discriminated against.
In the district capital of Dhading district, Dhading Besi (just to the north-west of Kathmandu), Bhibin facilitated a seminar on the church's response to HIV and AIDS for 55 local church leaders.
"Pastors, leaders and young people strongly realised the need of such education to our congregation and young people in the church," said Bhibin.
Meanwhile at Lalitpur, a southern suburb of Kathmandu, Grace Community Services organised an awareness-raising programme with 10 other Christian organisations including United Mission to Nepal and Micah Network.
Some 350 church members, including pastors and leaders, heard speakers including a representative from UNAIDS and Mr Kamal Sirmal, who shared his testimony of living with HIV since 2000.
Please pray for Bhibin and Grace Community Services as they continue this great work.