Each year, Hope for Eternity sponsors luncheons at a couple of our churches for people in the area living with HIV.
At these luncheons, we cater a large meal and then treat the attending women to manicures. In Ethiopia, where there is still great stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, many of these women are used to being avoided. Having people physically touch them–painting their nails, massaging lotion into their work-worn hands, and placing a new bracelet on their wrists–is an especially powerful point of connection.
We are thankful to all our supporters over the years who have donated hand sanitizer, lotion, nail polish, and bracelets for use at our luncheons. We also appreciate those supporters who have made feminine hygiene kits for the women and teen girls at these luncheons, enabling them to continue work or school each month during their menstrual cycles.