Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Official Report 887KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Ms Esther Wanjohi of the women’s HIV project in Ngong, Nairobi, in partnership with Murrayfield churches together.

Presiding Officer, members of the Scottish Parliament, ladies and gentlemen: good afternoon.

Four years ago, I was invited to visit Murrayfield churches together in Scotland. I am therefore familiar with the remarkable degree of hospitality, acceptance, transparency and integration that Scotland provides for its visitors. I feel greatly honoured and humbled to be back again and to lead time for reflection during Commonwealth week.

At this juncture, I would like us to focus our attention briefly on the theme for world AIDS day 2011:

“Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”

The global HIV epidemic is extremely diverse, and there are similarities and differences among communities, regions, provinces and countries. However, in order to meet the challenge of getting to zero, the global community must work together to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care.

The ecumenical Project Kenya realises the need to join the whole world together in fighting AIDS. We have embarked on programmes that emphasise sustainability and are not just about handouts. Together with Murrayfield churches together, we have initiated revolving fund microloans and income-generating activities through crafts, and we have provided dairy goats, rabbits, water tanks and an education project.

Our mission is to work in obedience to the great commission of the 21st century to respond to the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS, including women, orphans, vulnerable children and the poor in our community. All of us can participate in one way or another in eradicating AIDS from this world.

Like the servants in the parable of the talents, each one of us has been entrusted with a role to play. We are to protect the rights and dignity of people who are living with HIV and AIDS, according to each one’s means and abilities. That is found in Matthew, chapter 25, verses 14 to 28.

It is much easier to wash one’s hands of the responsibility of care, but God is calling and compelling us to show mercy, compassion, love and tender care to people who are living with HIV and AIDS. When we do that faithfully, we expect the affirmation:

“Welcome good and faithful servant, you have been trustworthy over small things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master”.

Like David of the Bible, let us, in this generation of HIV and AIDS, be recorded among those who served the Lord faithfully.

As I conclude, I pray that our gracious Lord will make us instruments of love, compassion and healing in a world that is ravaged by HIV and AIDS.

Thank you.