The human dimensions of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, in all of its complexity, is presented in the Step Into Africa exhibit now open at Blackhawk Church through Monday evening. "It’s presented in a way that people can understand," says Bwalya Melu, former director of World Vision Zambia. "People can respond and take the first step towards being part of the solution."
Melu, now World Vision’s Director for Strategic Marketing – HIV/AIDS, was in Madison for several speaking appearances in relation to the exhibit. Like many residents of Africa he has been touched personally by the HIV/AIDS crisis, having lost three brothers and their wives to the disease.
Because the disease has devastated so many families, 60-percent of the population of Africa is under the age of 20. "HIV/AIDS has changed the whole way a young person’s life works," he says. "They’re growing up too fast." The Step Into Africa exhibit portrays some of these young lives very intensely.
The situation is starting to improve, he adds. Today, unlike five years ago, there is an anti-virus that is available to some. But many women still have no way to get access. Their children are often the ones who suffer. "Most women are too busy working to access the information that would save their lives," he says.
"In the midst of all of this, the Gospel is exploding," he adds. "People can see the difference between Christians who care and the people who don’t care." He believes the gospel message, and those who live it, will be a critical factor in getting Africa through the HIV/AIDS crisis. "HIV presents a fundamental challenge to the church," he says.
Melu became a Christian just after high school and in college became the president of the Zambian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (ZFES). ZFES is a member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and thus an affiliate of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. In a visit to Madison’s InterVarsity offices Melu said that he was nurtured by many InterVarsity Press books. "I am some of the fruit of your ministry," he stated. "I don’t think I would be involved with World Vision if I hadn’t been in ZFES."
Many InterVarsity chapters across the U.S. have hosted the Step Into Africa exhibit. Though students may not have a lot of financial resources they can still play an important role, he believes. "Students can hold governments accountable."
Men and women of all ages are invited to the Step Into Africa exhibit (although some of the material may be too intense for children under 12) located at Blackhawk Church, 1.5 miles west of the Beltline on Mineral Point Road. It’s visit to Madison is being sponsored by a number of churches: Bethel Lutheran, Blackhawk, Christ Presbyterian, Door creek, Mad City Church, First United Methodist, Faith Community, Fountain of Life and High Point. It will be open from 10am-10pm today, 8am-10pm tomorrow (Sunday) and 10am-7pm on Monday.
The exhibit is free but reservations are recommended. For ticket information go here.