FROM STIGMA TO INTERVENTION: PENTECOSTALS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS IN ZAMBIA AND SUBSEQUENT EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY

Pentecostals and Charismatics in Zambia continue to contribute greatly on matters that are at the heart of Zambia's Socio-economic problems. More importantly, their engagement with HIV/AIDS and related issues in the last decade has been profound. The scale of their engagement varies based on the capacity of individual churches. Whether on a congregational or national level, they are actively developing means by which they can help sufferers and their families have a sense of hope. What is clear is that from an initial detached attitude towards civic engagement, privileging evangelism in the preparation of the imminent return of Christ, there is now a balanced message that is accompanied by an engagement with physical problems that the Zambian population continue to face, in this case HIV/AIDS, among other things.