One woman's fight to end the cycle of adversity for widows and orphans of AIDS:
An interview with Joanna Ilboudo of Christian Action Together for Solidarity Ministries (ACTS) in Burkina Faso

Joanna Ilboudo of ACTS Ministries

Joanna Ilboudo of ACTS Ministries (JI): We are in the process of establishing a village for orphans and widows of AIDS. In 2002, ACTS bought a plot of land in a small village called Saonre in Burkina Faso. For the moment, we have invited 25 children and 12 widows to live there. This is all that we can take for the moment. We have also adopted one baby orphan into our family. His name is Wentoin, which means "God is able." In 2005-2006, we plan to house more orphans and widows. Widows will take care not only of their own children, but also the children of those who do not have mothers; by doing this, we ensure that orphans will be in the hands of experienced mothers who will take care of them. This will provide a stable environment psychologically, socially, morally and physically for the children.

AAAC: What event first motivated you to begin helping widows and orphans of AIDS? Is there a personal story that adds meaning to your work?

Orphans receiving rice

JI: I was once invited to visit a woman. Her story is just one of many sad stories brought about by AIDS. When I arrived, I found her to be a widow; her husband had died of AIDS. When her husband died, she was left with 4 children, all girls. Having only daughters was not favorable for her status in the community. Women are not encouraged to go to school and many cannot read; often, they have no job experience. In other words, women have little means to provide for their children. Because the mother could not look after the children, the eldest daughter began to give herself to men for money. This daughter quickly became HIV-positive. The mother could not pay for the treatment and medicine, so the daughter was sent home from the hospital. The widow had lost a husband, was sick herself, and was going to lose a daughter to AIDS as well. The day I visited the family, the eldest girl was very ill. We prayed for her. We decided that it would be best to send the youngest daughter to boarding school, to help her succeed in school. If she did not get a chance to succeed in school, she might follow in the footsteps of the eldest sister. This visit made me think. I came to the conclusion that AIDS widows and orphans must be taken care of to stop the spread of AIDS. We must work together to meet the needs of these widows and orphans, who often do not have other means of support.

AAAC: Do you know how many widows living in Saonre have tested positive for AIDS? Is there resistance to being tested for AIDS due to the stigma of the disease?

Orphan receives bike

JI: There is no resistance to being tested for AIDS; we just need the means to bring the widows to the hospital for the tests or, alternatively, to bring medical personnel to the village to test the women and the children. I think going to the village with a mobile testing clinic would be best.

AAAC: If the women test positive for AIDS, can they access medications? I understand that in some areas of Burkina, access to medications is limited or too costly for the poor.

JI: Medication is very costly and we are looking for ways to supply medicine. We have introduced a proposal to the Minister of Health in Burkina requesting him to authorize the building of a dispensary in Saonre. There is no medical clinic near the village; people must walk about 25 kilometers to access a place for treatment. We want the widows and orphans to have reasonable access to basic health care. In Burkina Faso, it is not easy for people without money to access medication. ACTS Ministries has been able to provide some medications and vaccinations to the children of Saonre. From time to time, we also gather the children and widows to feed them. We do not yet have the necessary means to carry out this effort every day. We need support to accomplish our vision. My ultimate goal is for these widows and orphans to be self sufficient. However, it will take time for this goal to be reached.

AAAC: How can a Westerner support locally-run projects such as yours and offer support that is appropriate?

Young man receives computer

JI: It is difficult for a Westerner to know about locally-run projects such as ACTS. It takes people like you to make these projects known. The best way to reach such organizations is to know the people involved; or sometimes churches will link people to these locally-run projects. As Burkinabe Christians, we know the people affected directly. We can reach the hearts and minds of the hurting women and orphans in ways that the Western missionary could never do. ACTS Ministries has been able to support a few individuals to help them succeed economically. One young man who is HIV-positive came to us and we helped him to set up a repair shop for computers so he can make a living and also buy the medicine he needs. We've also been able to buy a bicycle for one child who had to go a long way for school.

AAAC: How do you think that Westerners can be the most helpful in offering assistance to stop the threat of AIDS in Africa?

JI: It is sad to see that the money offered to international organizations does not go to local community efforts. It doesn't go to those who know the suffering individuals and understand how to make a difference in their lives. I've told this to many friends in the United States, such as Sharyl Sieh, who are trying hard to make connections with international organizations. However, funds from these organizations are largely distributed to governments or large non-governmental organizations. HIV-positive people report to ACTS that they hear about large donations to help people in unfortunate circumstances, but it is almost impossible for them to gain access to these supports and medicines.

AAAC: Can you talk a little bit about your organization's ties with international church communities?

JI: ACTS Ministries works with many Christian churches. The board members are from various denominations, not just one church. For the moment, ACTS is supported by Tearfund UK and Christian Friends in England and the USA. I have explained to you how I became motivated to begin helping widows and orphans. But motivation is not all I need, I need men and women of God behind me to pray and I need financial support to accomplish what needs to be done to save these people physically and spiritually. ACTS needs the support of caring individuals who can afford to share a little of what they have with those who have nothing.

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The African AIDS Awareness Campaign learned of Ms. Ilboudo's work after they had departed Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet with Ms. Ilboudo or visit her project site personally; this interview was conducted through email correspondence.

In addition to founding and directing ACTS Ministries, Joanna Ilboudo serves as the Director General of Radio Evangile Développement and as the Managing Editor of a Christian magazine called Contact Magazine. If you would like to contact Mrs. Ilboudo directly, please do not hesitate to email her at acts-citcofa@liptinfor.bf.


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