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BAMAKO, Mali, April 29, 2005 — PSI/Mali has expanded the scope of its work with Malian faith-based organizations through a training of Protestant religious leaders that builds on its on-going collaboration with the Islamic imams to incorporate HIV/AIDS information into the standard sermons. Thirty Protestant leaders attended a three-day PSI workshop on the importance of the church's role in the education of its members, prevention of HIV/AIDS and the care and destigmatization of people living HIV/AIDS. The workshop served as a forum for discussion among the leaders, religious consultants and PSI/Mali trainers on how to include HIV/AIDS messages in weekly sermons and through individual counseling. Representatives from USAID, advocacy groups and governmental partners convened for the workshop's opening ceremony to show their support for PSI/Mali's ongoing faith-based initiatives. The leaders received information on the epidemiological situation in Mali and available resources for them and their parishioners. PSI/Mali trainers provided the leaders with an HIV/AIDS manual specifically designed for pastors, a handbook on behavior change communications techniques and sample sermons with Biblical passages advocating the church's role in the AIDS fight. In addition, an Association of Trained Pastors was created, and the members adopted an Action Plan for 2005 to intervene in the prevention of the spread of AIDS through sermons and religious activities to protect those already infected and to take an active role in continuing development of HIV/AIDS initiatives. The workshop's participants also signed a resolution identifying the leaders' roles and responsibilities in the fight against AIDS. This delegation of pastors will assemble again to create religious statements, which will be distributed to Protestant leaders nationwide to be used during sermons, over the radio or on national television. The success of the Muslim and Christian workshops - supported by USAID, Mali's High Council for the National Fight Against AIDS and local government - has resulted in PSI/Mali negotiating with the Archdiocese of Mali to organize a similar seminar with Catholic leaders later this year. — Tracey M. Toner, Peace Corps/Mali
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