It's easy to assume it's all up to the scientists and doctors and people infected. But it's not. For us to have an HIV and AIDS free world, it's going to take you and me.
"A dangerous apathy still exists on a personal and social level that requires new vigilance," Messer writes. "Particular action points I advocate may prompt disagreements. My goal is not to be controversial or offensive but to be candid and provocative about how the world might become AIDS-free."
Based on experiences traveling and working as founder and executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS, Messer suggests 52 ways people from all walks of life can make a difference in eliminating this pandemic.
His simply practical suggestions range from big to small and from comfortable to controversial. They include ideas such as talking about AIDS, fighting hunger, digging a well, practicing "zero grazing" and decriminalizing sex.
Messer includes photos from travels to introduce each of the ideas and action statements to create an experience to see beyond mere words. (See a sample page and excerpt.)
Messer concedes that there are too many needs in the world for one person to solve, but he implores each person to embrace with passionate commitment at least one task in helping create an AIDS-free world. As actress Ashley Judd, a Youth AIDS ambassador, says: "This book displays the incredible power of simple actions and how they can change the course of history."
A portion of the profits from the sale of this book goes to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (www.theglobalfund.org).
Don Messer, executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS, explains how every person can do something to help create an AIDS-free world. Messer recently traveled to India and discovered encouraging news about efforts there to curb the spread of AIDS and to help those infected and affected by the disease.
The author of fifteen books, Messer is President Emeritus of Practical Theology at the Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado.
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