Christian Aid Global

At around 1.5 million, Kenya has the fourth highest number of people living with HIV. The cost of responding to the virus has been immense for the country and while antiretrovirals and other medicines are provided free, nongovernmental organisations have had to step in to help meet people's other needs. Ahead of Christian Aid's Christmas Appeal, which looks at the work of local partners in Kenya, regional coordinator Amy Merone visited Kenya to find out more about our work. In this short reflection edited by BBC Merseyside, Amy talks about how this work is changing lives.

This World AIDS Day, Christian Aid and Magnum Photos present powerful stories of brave people around the world who are living with HIV under the shadow of stigma.

Joanne from the UK was shocked to be diagnosed HIV-positive after her first sexual relationship 12 years ago.

It is estimated that 85,000 people were living with HIV in the UK, as of 2009 (UNAIDS), but many people are unaware of their status. Although Joanne says there is ‘massive stigma and discrimination around HIV’, she is one of very few British women who talk openly about their status.

Explore all our slideshows and help us challenge HIV stigma around the world: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/hiv

This World AIDS Day, Christian Aid and Magnum Photos present powerful stories of brave people around the world who are living with HIV under the shadow of stigma.

James from Kenya was sacked from his truck-driving job on the Mombasa Highway when his employer found out he was HIV positive.

In Kenya, 1.5 million people are living with HIV. Free antiretroviral treatment has revolutionised the lives of many, but stigma and discrimination continue to hamper an effective response to the virus and can discourage people from getting tested and seeking the support they need.

Explore all our slideshows and help us challenge HIV stigma around the world: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/hiv

On 28 November, voters in DRC go to the polls for their second democratic elections in over forty years. In a process fraught with difficulties and challenges, we find out how EURAC, a european network of 50 ngos concerned about Central Africa, and Christian Aid are providing support. Christian Aid's communications officer Tori Ray, speaks with Donatella Rostagno from EURAC and ex-MP Judy Mallaber about the mission to send 100 international election observers to work alongside national civil society organisations to observe the elections. To find out more about Christian Aid's work on accountable governance across the world, visit www.christianaid.org.uk

Christian Aid has partnered with Magnum Photos to launch ‘Stigma Under The Lens’, a series of thought-provoking audio-photographic slideshows for World AIDS day featuring brave people around the world living with HIV under the shadow of stigma.

In this podcast Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma, Advocacy officer for HIV at Christian Aid talks about HIV related stigma. Stigma Under the Lens launches on 28th November. Click this link for further information: http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/stigma-under-the-lens/

In the lead up to World AIDS Day, Christian Aid Communications Officer Ally Carnwath reflects on how the Christian Aid-supported CAHAC campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo led to the introduction of a law protecting the rights of people living with HIV and extended access to life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) medication to some of the country’s poorest people.

Starting in 2005, Community Action against HIV/AIDS in the Congo, organised a range of awareness-raising activities, including the country’s biggest ever HIV demonstration, which saw almost 10,000 AIDS activists take to the streets for simultaneous marches across all 11 of the country’s provinces. Finance for ARV treatment remains a problem but thanks to CAHAC’s pressure on the government, the number of people under ARV treatment has risen from 4,000 to 32,000 in the past five years.

If it's been a long and difficult road for Sierra Leone to emerge from the shadows of its decade-long civil war, it's been an even longer journey for Sierra Leonean women to make their voices heard. But now things are changing...

When communications officer Antoinette Powell visited some of the communities where they are working, she found that with the help of local organisations Network Movement for Justice and Development and the Methodist Church of Sierra Leone, women are not simply speaking out but are beginning to take the lead in building a stronger future for their communities.

In this interview we hear direct from two of Christian Aid’s partners in the Middle East who are working to improve labour rights for marginalised groups in their countries. Christeen Bushra works for Wadi el Nil, an organisation that helps quarry workers in Egypt. Quarry workers have to contend with hazardous working conditions, little pay, and even fewer human rights. Wadi el Nil has been working to establish trade unions to represent quarry workers, and provide training and equipment to improve safety in the workplace. Jesssica Nevo works for Christian Aid partner Kav LaOved, in Israel, and talks about how marginalised groups such as migrant workers are excluded from Israel’s labour laws, and subject to discrimination and abuse of their human rights. Kav LaOved has seen major successes this year in challenging the treatment of migrant workers and improving their legal rights.

Emergencies under the radar: Christian Aid responds

In October 2011, Christian Aid is currently responding to three flood related emergencies in Cambodia, the Philippines and Central America to find out more information about the emergency and Christian Aid’s response, or to donate to our emergencies fund, please visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk

In this podcast, Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Oxford, Amy Merone, reflects upon her first trip to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. From conversations with soldiers in Hebron about humanity, to travelling with a mobile health clinic, Amy reflects upon the shock, inspiration and challenge behind visiting this part of the world.