The silent disaster: HIV and AIDS
Adapt this lesson plan for use in public schools, Christian schools, other private schools, homeschools, and other groups. (Correct responses in blue.)
The lesson plan focuses on HIV and AIDS in the African country of Mozambique. Click here for a map [PDF].
HIV and AIDS are examples of epidemic disasters. For comprehensive information about HIV and AIDS, see the United Nations report about AIDS.
THE FACTS (see AIDS quiz [PDF].)
1. Why is the crisis of HIV and AIDS the most devastating disaster in our world today? (AIDS has killed more than 30 million people—equal to 10 percent of the population of the U.S. or nearly 10 times the population of Oregon and 5 times the population of Washington.)
2. Why is it called a “silent disaster”?
3. What is HIV? (Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] is a virus in the “retrovirus” family. HIV can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS.])
4. What is AIDS? (Acquired Immunedeficiency Syndrome, an advanced stage of HIV, where the immune system is unable to protect the body from infections.)
5. How do people contract HIV?
6. Do all people who have HIV also have AIDS?
7. Is AIDS curable? (There is no cure for AIDS.)
8. Does everyone who has AIDS die from the condition?
The good news: Medicines are available to
- Delay the onset of HIV to AIDS (anti-retroviral therapy)
- Treat illnesses associated with AIDS
- Extend the life of those who have AIDS
More good news:
- Although nearly 1,000 newborn babies a day become infected with HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, at birth, and in some cases through breast milk, these forms of mother-to-child transmission can be prevented through medicine.
THE IMPACT
9. How many infants are infected by HIV every day? (Every day 1000 infants are newly infected with HIV.)
- How does that number compare to the student body size in your school?
10. How many children have lost one or both parents to AIDS?
- More than 16 million children around the world have become orphans because of AIDS. They often have to drop out of school to work and/or to care for younger children. This lowers the education level and earning potential for families for future generations.
- There are currently around 1.6 million AIDS orphans in Mozambique alone.
11. In the past 30 minutes, more than 150 people have become infected with HIV. Compare that number to the size of your student body.
12. REAL. HOPE. How is Medical Teams International helping people affected by HIV and AIDS? (Read a comprehensive review of our work on HIV and AIDS)..
14. Is this disaster preventable? How?
THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE
16. What do the following Bible passages say about our role on behalf of people who are in distress?
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”—James 1:27
“God . . . gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. . . . The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.”—Psalm 146:7-9
“Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.”—Psalm 10:17-18
“I was sick and you looked after me…. Whatever you did for one of the least of these..., you did for me.”—Matthew 25:35-40
Think about it
1. How can you make a difference by giving, acting, praying, or volunteering?
2. If you had $100, how would you use it to help people affected by HIV and AIDS?