Our first 10 years
March 2013
Highlights from Tassie Ghata’s presentations during the 10th Anniversary celebrations
Grace & Light was formed in 2003 as a gospel-based alternative to HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria. Its premise was that denial, secrecy, stigma and discrimination were fuelling the pandemic.
We provided an alternative approach based on love, forgiveness, openness and support to help people stay free of the infection or, for those who are HIV+, to stay healthy longer.
Ten years on African churches are acknowledging HIV and taking responsibility for supporting members who are positive. People who test negative rarely become positive.
Grace & Light volunteers have visited over 1,000 churches across Cameroon, Chad, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia.
Volunteer teams are active in 15 Nigerian states – Abuja, Benue, cross River, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Kogi, Kebbi, Borno, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Ondo and Ekiti.
We have tested over 120,000 people of whom just 2,500 are HIV positive. Over 5,000 have rededicated their lives to Christ and another 2,400 have made a first commitment during our initial vision meetings when we speak to the entire congregation.
Of those we have tested, 100,000 have chosen to join life sharing groups and are open about their status, whether HIV positive or negative. These are with people of their own gender and, where possible, marital status and age too. They are accountable to each other weekly for all aspects of their lives. Group members provide practical care, friendship, emotional support and spiritual encouragement to each other.
