杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 Francis always makes a point of visiting the sick, whether on an Apostolic journey abroad, or back home in Rome. But his visit to the Zimpeto Hospital, outside the Mozambican capital of Maputo, was special.  

The DREAM Project

That is because the hospital houses the 鈥淒ream Center鈥� for people suffering from HIV-AIDS. 鈥淒REAM鈥� is an acronym for 鈥淒isease Relief through Excellent and Advanced Means鈥�. The project was launched in 2002 by Sant鈥橢gidio, a lay Catholic movement centered on peace and helping the poor. The programme offers free healthcare to the economically disadvantaged and to those who cannot easily access medical facilities.                       

Facts and figures from Sant鈥橢gidio

According to Sant鈥橢gidio, around 23% of the adult population in Maputo alone suffers from HIV-AIDS. An estimated 200,000 patients have been treated in an additional 12 DREAM centers throughout Mozambique. The centers have also provided free training to around 5,000 health professionals, and offer courses in AIDS prevention and treatment.

Sant鈥橢gidio estimates that in the 17 years of its existence, the Zimpeto DREAM Center has served 3,800 patients, and has helped 500 children of HIV-positive mothers be born free of the virus.

The parable of the Good Shepherd

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� first reaction when he arrived at the center, was to say how the 鈥渃ompetence, professionalism and love鈥� shown the patients, especially the mothers and children suffering from HIV-AIDS, made him think of the parable of the Good Shepherd.

鈥淎ll those who come here, in anguish and despair, are like the man lying on the side of the road鈥�, he said. 鈥淭his Centre shows us that there are always people ready to stop and show compassion鈥�. 鈥淵ou have heeded the silent, almost inaudible, cry of countless women, so many of them living in shame, marginalized and judged by all鈥�.

Hearing the cry of the poor

鈥淭he poor do not need intermediaries鈥�, continued the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渂ut the personal involvement of all those who hear their cry鈥�. 鈥淗earing this cry has made you realize that medical treatment, however necessary, is not enough鈥�, he said. 鈥淪o you deal with the problem in its entirety, restoring dignity to women and children, and helping to point them towards a better future鈥�.

Listening to the cry of the environment

鈥淟istening to the most vulnerable of the poor and the sick puts us in contact with another part of our vulnerable world鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis. He quoted the 鈥渟ymptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life鈥�.

鈥淵our listening is leading you to find sustainable means in the search for energy and for gathering and storing supplies of water鈥�, added the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淵our concern for low environmental impact is a virtuous model, an example to be followed, in the light of the urgent situation created by the deterioration of our planet鈥�.

Smiles and dreams      

By way of conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis returned to the parable of the Good Samaritan that ends with him promising to pay the innkeeper the remainder of any expenses upon his return. 鈥淎ll those nameless persons who today smile because they have been cured with dignity in their dignity, are part of the payment that the Lord has left with you鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淭heir willingness to dream can serve as an inspiration to many people lying on the wayside who need a welcoming hand鈥�.