EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA— A Kigali-based Christian organization-Centre de Formation et de Documentation (CFD) has started training Eastern Province religious leaders in HIV/Aids.

The one-week training started began this Monday and brings together 60 pastors and evangelists from different church denominations in Eastern Province.

"The training is part of CFD’s program aimed at fighting against HIV/Aids,” says Pastor Désiré Rutaganda. "We acknowledge the role the church can play in the HIV/Aids scourge.”

Forty of the 60 who had turned up for the training had already accepted to be voluntarily tested for the virus.

Pastor Paul Nsengiyumva from Nyamirama in Kayonza district said that it was the country’s biggest problem.

"We have learned lessons including importance of voluntary counseling and testing, as well as taking anti-retroviral drugs for those who are HIV/Aids positive. We shall sensitize our flocks on such important issues,” Nsengiyumva said.

Elise Nyiragwiza from Kirehe district agreed that Aids was the biggest problem in rural areas. Many people, she says, are not willing to go for testing.

CFD is an organization begun by the Presbyterian church of Rwanda in 1996. In addition to HIV/Aids, CFD teaches theology and unity and reconciliation. The organization has also started poverty-reduction activities in addition to gender-appreciation lessons.

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