Bed sheets soaked in sweat. A fever— incessant coughing. And always diarrhea. Victims of “slim” are physically spent before others start to notice their disease-wracked bodies.

KIJABE, Kenya - UNAIDS reports that 4.3 million people were infected with HIV this past year—more new cases than ever before. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicentre of the pandemic, home to nine out of ten children living with the virus.

This is the battlefield on which Isaac Mutua, director of Adventures Unlimited, finds himself. Since graduating from Bible College in 1999, Mutua and a team of volunteers have been on the front lines—teaching about AIDS in Kenyan schools to help nullify the statistics.

Traditionally, AIDS educators have stressed the ‘C’ of Condom use. Mutua does teach that condoms help prevent the spread of HIV, but that behaviour change through Christ is the ultimate “safe sex.”“We have the opportunity— we have the freedom to share Christ,” says Mutua. He explains the ‘ABC’approach to AIDS prevention:  Abstain, Be Faithful and rely on Christ.

Adventures Unlimited teaches the truth about HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour from a Biblical perspective. Classes are taught after school-- once a week over a seven week period. Since the government recognizes the critical nature of the program, students receive credit towards their high-school diploma. 

Mutua says Kenyan schools currently teach little about sexual behaviour. He produces a newspaper from across his desk and points out a 2006 headline: AT LEAST 200 KENYAN SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE DYING OF AIDS EVERY MONTH.

Isaac Mutua started Adventures
Unlimited after completing his
studies at Moffat Bible College

“So how can they teach about behaviour change?” he asks.

“This program doesn’t preach fire and brimstone,” says Mutua. Volunteers don’t condemn, but teach practical reasons to stay sexually pure. And this approach seems to be effective—a local principal told Mutua that since volunteers spoke at his high school three years ago, there have been no more pregnancies.  

Asked about the challenges he faces, Mutua says he’s especially in need of an off-road vehicle since many schools are in the bush. In addition, he says he’d like to see more Bible schools and churches get involved in the ministry.¤

For more information on AIDS in Kenya, and the other countries in which AIM is active, check out the UNAIDS FACT SHEET FOR SUBSAHARAN AFRICA

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