Africans Plan big Day of Prayer Tomorrow By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News
LOWELL, Mass. , MARCH 5_The African community in Massachusetts will hold a massive day-long prayer and music festival to mark the National Week of Prayer for HIV/AIDS healing.
Chioma Nnaji, Program Director at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition said that addressing HIV is crucial, not only at home, but also in Massachusetts, “as we build lives and raise children.”
The latest data shows that the population of African immigrants living with HIV is growing in Massachusetts. Fifty eight percent of Blacks diagnosed with HIV are non-US born.
Persons born in Sub Saharan Africa accounted for 37%, which is the highest percentage, of new infections among non-us born individuals.
The event will take place this Saturday, March 6, at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell Inn & Conference Center on 50 Warren Street in Lowell. It will bring together a big number of African faith leaders including pastors and popular gospel artists.
The week of prayer is part of the national AIDS awareness campaign that engages black congregations to support, encourage and empower African Americans, Africans and all people in the Diaspora to take action toward stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities worldwide.
Chioma Nnaji said, “We are coming together to pray for those living with HIV, pray for a cure, pray for those who continue to do the work, and pray for our community because we are all affected. This isn’t a week of sadness. It is an opportunity for us to remember our family members that died of this disease and honor their spirit by bringing hope and strength to continue the fight.”
Therefore, in commemoration of this week of prayer, the African Faith Community of Massachusetts, MAC’s Africans for Improved Access (AFIA) Program, and Lowell Community Health Center (LCHC) has invited all members of the African community in New England for the One People, One Health, One God event that promises to entertain and educate guests in the African way.
“This event is for everyone. You don’t have to be infected with HIV/AIDS to attend. The presence of members from the community, whether infected or not, encourages everyone to participate and address the epidemic in our community here in the United States,” said Augustus Woyah, a Program Coordinator at AFIA Program based in Jamaica Plain, Boston.
Augustus Woyah, a Program Coordinator at the AFIA Program in Jamaica Plain
AFIA, a program of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition is the first program in Massachusetts to address HIV/AIDS among African immigrants.
Woyah, a Liberian National, also spends a considerable part of his time helping out at the Lowell Community Health Center in the field of HIV testing in the community.
Speaking to AjabuAfrica.com at his office in Lowell, Woyah said that faith plays a big part in the average African’s life and that is why they find it crucial to involve church leadership in HIV awareness, prevention, and education activities.
“Since 2006, we have been working with several church leaders in the African community in Massachusetts to increase HIV awareness, encourage testing and provide support to those who may be already infected,” said Woyah.
He added that the effort has been very well received and supported by African church leaders since its inception in 2006.
Among the pastors supporting the week of prayer effort include Rev. Samuel Kimohu of Saint Stephens Church, Rev Jeremiah Githere of Grace International Community Church, Dr. Rev. Karimi Mumbui of Ushindi Church and Eunice Rintari of PCEA Imani Church.
Other major players include two Ugandan pastors, Rev. John Baker Katende of Global Evangelical Church that recently relocated from Waltham to Burlington, and Pastor Samuel Mutyaba of New Life International Christian Center in Medford.
Two Liberian Pastors Jeremiah Menyongai of the Liberian Jubilee Christian church in Lowell and Jesse Gibson of the New Hope Congregational Church in Boston together with two Nigerian Pastors Malcolm Ebholon and Adelaja Emmanuel will also participate.
Others are two pastors from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pacific Zagabe of the Seed Time and Harvest Bible Church in Somerville, and Bibiche Zagabe-Ndiku of the Green Pasture Church in Worcester.
A Kenyan physician, Dr. Peter Ngigi, who has also been part of the community health improvement program at the St. Stephen Church in Lowell, is member of the African Faith Collaborative and will also attend.
Many Africans view the upcoming event in Lowell as a great way not only to get educated on HIV related issues and available resources, but also an opportunity for Africans from different countries to meet, socialize and pray together and get entertained.
Several well known African Gospel artists will be in attendance, including Zenzo Matoga of Boston Night of Worship, Jubilee Singers and the Genesis from the Christ Jubilee International Ministries in Lowell, Evangelist Stella Nantenza from Uganda and the Saint Stephens Church Live gospel band.
“We are calling on the African community to take action now by attending this free entrance event and showing the African solidarity,” said Woyah, expressing hope that many people will turn up at Umass Lowell Inn and Conference Center on Saturday.
