Preparations for this Congress in Malawi were made by a Committee, chaired by Mrs. E. Johnson. They organised a campaign to raise funds for local expenses, by appeals to individuals and holding a Theatre Show (A Terrible Joy) and a Dinner Dance. Even if the profits on these events were not very high, they earned FAMLI a lot of good will and opened the way to the formation of FAMLI Friends. Some generous gifts were received in cash and kind. See the Congress Financial Report.

The Congress was planned originally for Msamba Pastoral Centre and Bethany. Due to double booking it had to be transferred to Kambiri Lodge, Salima. This proved to be a “happy fault” as the new venue was much better even if it created problems of logistics and transport. We record with gratitude the generosity of Mr. Johnson in driving so many times between Lilongwe and Salima. The event was marked for the organisers by machine failure: cars, photocopier, printers all broke down. The Organising Committee, led by Mrs. Johnson, and the Secretariat, headed by Sister Perpetua Zitande, overcame every difficulty and managed to produce the work needed. Their organisation and dedication won generous praise from the participants both during the Congress and in e-mails received after it.

52 delegates from 13 African countries, including 17 from Malawi, attended with 5 experts from Kenya, Nigeria, France and the USA and 4 members of FAMLI Board. Church in Need and Propaganda Fidei were the major sponsor of this meeting.

Dr. Mary Shawa, Principal Secretary for Aids and Nutrition in the Office of the President, delivered a strong message of support from that office.

At the opening ceremony Mr. Ian Malera acted as Master of Ceremonies.

The President of the Federation, Madame Dany Sauvage from Action Familiale, Mauritius, welcomed the delegates, who had travelled long distances to be present, and thanked the Agencies whose generosity had made the Congress possible: Aid to the Church in Need and the Pontifical Missionary Society.

Unfortunately the printers left her message of welcome out of the programme.

Mrs. Florence Kayambo, Chairperson of FAMLI Board, made our visitors welcome to the Warm Heart of Africa and dwelt on what united this small but global gathering: our faith in God which moves us to serve or fellow men and women, and a shared view of the family.

H.E. Msgr. Nicola Girasoli, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi, sent a warm letter of greeting, praying that “Almighty God might bless the participants and strengthen their efforts to build a better World based on the genuine and natural values of family”.

Representatives of CCAP (the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Nkhoma Synod) and ASUM (Association of Sunni Madrassahs) expressed their support for FAMLI and its objectives. Ms. Mariam Ladd spoke on behalf of Sheik Rashid Wasike of who later circulated a message to the participants.

Finally, Fr. Joseph Mpinganjira, Secretary-General of the Malawi Episcopal Conference, opened the meeting on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop Ziyaye, Chairman of the Conference, who had been invited to do so because the Congress had been funded by Catholic Agencies but were unable to attend.

The days of the Congress were filled with intense work, broken only by a Sunday afternoon visit to the nearby Crocodile Farm.

There were workshops on

· NFP Teacher Training (Mr. P. Chinthunzi with Supervisors Mr. Gaitano Monjeza and Mrs. Everista Chikupira)

· Training Trainers of NFP Teachers (Mrs. F. Chintunzi),

· Education for Life (Sr. Dr. Kay Lawlor, Nairobi)

· and Programme Development (Madame Jacqueline Leblanc, Mauritius).

The rest of the time was spent in plenary session, exploring the Federation’s values and identity, how it is a faith-based organisation, its philosophy of the family, sexuality and natural family planning: to-day’s challenges: the UN Protocol that includes abortion as a human right for African women, promotion of abstinence and fidelity as a response to the Aids Crisis, the use of condoms against HIV transmission and the attitude towards them of the various faith communities present. In all this we discovered a remarkable unity.

Prof. Rene Ecochard of the Link Committee skilfully guided the content and procedure of the Congress.

Each organisation present was invited to prepare a project for submission to Aid to the Church in Need, which could be recommended by the Federation. FAMLI agreed to coordinate the Malawian submissions, which does not imply overseeing the eventual projects.

B. Objectives of the meeting

· Taking into account the context of HIV/AIDS,

· to provide a platform for exchange of information among different groups on major family issues, successful family programs, available expertise and resources, leading to better networking and co-operation.

· to analyse the new challenges and strengths and be more effective in our programme development.

· to reinforce our motivation through a clearer and better understanding of our values and principles, the basis of our decision to promote NFP for family enrichment.

· To improve our teaching skills in order to have more effective Family Life programmes

· To improve our techniques for better outreach and social action.

II. INTRODUCTION

A. Official Ceremony and addresses

1. FAMLI Chair’s Welcome

Mrs Florence Kayambo

Mrs. Danièle Sauvage, President of Africa Family Life Federation, Dr. Mary Shawa, Principal Secretary for Aids and Nutrition, Office of the President and Cabinet, Fr. Joseph Mpinganjira, Secretary General, Malawi Episcopal Conference, Distinguished visitors,Malawian Sisters and Brothers:

We have present: representatives from 12 African countries. I ask them to stand as I mention their names, so that you can join FAMLI in welcoming them: Kenya, S. Africa, Ghana, Sudan, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius. Also from France, USA.

We are of different faiths: Christians of different traditions and Muslims. Besides the Association of Sunni Madrassahs we have several NGOs who are partners of Medical Service Corporation International, whose support we in FAMLI gratefully acknowledge. MSCI’s Regional Representative intended to be present, but at the last moment was unable to be here.

We are not only Pan African, but also a global gathering. Several things unite us:

1. A faith in God which moves us to seek the good of others, especially in everything that relates to their family life.

2. A shared view of the family, which begins with the commitment of a man and woman to each other as husband and wife and is made perfect by the gift of children.

3. We complete the family planning menu by offering couples the gift of natural family planning. Besides Mrs. Chinthunzi and her Service Supervisors, we have with us experts in that field: especially Dr. Leonie McSweeney, founder of Nigeria’s Pro-family and Life Association. (She is being picked at the airport just now), Mrs. Jacqueline Leblanc, who will share her experience of over 25 years working with Action Familiale in Mauritius.

FAMLI's experience in Malawi shows that NFP is very acceptable to rural people and that it transforms the relationship between husbands and wives.

4. We offer the gift of NFP in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, AND emphasise that the way to combat it is to encourage people to confine sex to marriage, the only place it finds its true meaning.

5. In Youth Alive we give this message to the young through the young. We know that youth listen to their peers more than to their parents. The experience and expertise of Dr. Kay Lawlor will be particularly valuable to us, together with that of Dr. Hanna Klaus, whose Teen-STAR (= Sexual Training for Adult Responsibility) programme has proved highly effective in educating youth about sex and inspiring them to wait until marriage.

6. We are to be honoured with messages of support from His Excellency the President and from the Papal Nuncio, who was prepared to come from Lusaka to open our meeting, but at the last moment found he was not able to do so. Instead he gave us Fr. Joseph Mpinganjira, Secretary General of the Malawi Episcopal Conference, who has generously squeezed us in between other appointments and his preparations to leave for Rome in a day or two.

Finally I thank the Africa Family Life Federation for choosing Malawi for this Congress and for allowing FAMLI to host it. Mrs. Sauvage has helped us with her talent for organising, while Dr. Ecochard has been the brains behind it. We are happy to leave this Congress in their capable hands.

2. Message of Sheik Rashid Wasike

Program Officer, ASUM



Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chief Executive Officer Association of Sunni Madrassah (ASUM), the entire management, trustees and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to FAMLI for having extended invitation to ASUM to attend and participate in this wonderful conference organized by the Africa Life Federation (AFLF) in collaboration with FAMLI itself.

When I met Father Cremins in one of the conferences at the Management Institute of Malawi, MIM, we struck a conversation that bordered on many things but of great significance, was creation of a synergy and partnership with each other with the aim of confronting ills like HIV/AIDS and family planning using natural methods.

At first, it did not occur to me that something like natural birth control was possible, but somehow, I was struck by the issue of creation of collaboration with a Non Muslim organization to fight these ills in society on a joint platform.

When I informed the Chief Executive about this kind of relationship, he felt excited and gave us all the support needed to form a partnership. A number of meetings were held between the two organizations that led to a Memorandum of Understanding that we have not yet signed, but God willing, it will be signed soon or later.

Our being present today in this conference is therefore not by accident but by design, and I hope that at the end of it, ASUM would have built stronger ties and synergies with both FAMLI and AFLF so that the objectives of the meetings are fully achieved and that together, we shall work to combat pandemics and produce children not by accident and ignorance, but by planning and design.

It is gratifying to know that H.E. the Papal Nuncio to Malawi, Representative of the Church of Central Africa (Presbyterian), will open the Conference.

It is our sincere hope that this will be the beginning of consolidating ties already made with FAMLI and through this interfaith channels, issues already mentioned in our speech, will be tackled and that trust between interfaith will be enhanced to the betterment of humanity in general.

Lastly, but not least, I would like to greet all the delegates from fifteen countries of the world and wish them success in their deliberations.

ASUM is with you both in body and spirit and hope that this conference will cement and strengthen relations between us and the Christian world in general and FAMLI and AFLF.

Ameen

3. Message of the Church of Central Africa

Presbyterian Representative

The President, Mrs. Danièle Sauvage of the African Family Life Federation,

The Chairman, Mrs. Kayambo, Rev. D.C. Kawanga, Mariam Radd of Asum,

The Director of FAMLI, Fr. Cremins, Dr. Shawa, Fr.Mpinganjira,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my profound gratitude to FAMLI who are the organisers of this Congress here in Malawi for inviting Nkhoma Synod of the C.C.A.P. in Malawi. Thank you for demonstrating the love of Jesus and the ecumenical spirit to this far.

I really find it a privilege to have been delegated by Nkhoma Synod to be one for the participants of this Congress. I find it a challenge and here I am as a participant.

Looking at the theme itself, which is integrating HIV/AIDS Awareness and Behaviour Change in "Family Life Programme", I had the following assumptions:

1 - That a family is a nucleus of the Church and of any religious organisation.

2 - That a family is composed of 3 types of human beings: a father, a mother and children

3 - That when HIV/AIDS destroys the family it also destroys the Church.

This is why I see it important and timely for FAMLI to have organised such a Congress and for having invited Nkhoma Synod to attend it.

Nkhoma Synod has put in place some interventions to curtail this problem of HIV/AIDS through its health services which has an HIV/AIDS Department, Nkhoma Relief of Development Department which deals with Food Security and Women Empowerment and we have also Family and Marriage Counselling Programmes. However Nkhoma Synod has no organised Family Life Education which includes Natural Family Planning in the context of HIV/AIDS. This is the area in which Nkhoma Synod will draw lessons from this Congress.

Lastly, let me confess here! At the thought of FAMLI not belonging to any church, mosque and any other religion, I raised my eyebrows. But when I read through the concept paper of the congress I was enormously overwhelmed by the ecumenical spirit that is in the mission of AFLF and FAMLI. They indeed know who the giver of life is. They know the sacredness of like and whose hands has God given this responsibility to care and sustain it while on this earth. The ethical values embraced by Natural Family Planning have no foundation in any religious system on earth, but they come from God's natural law that neither sees denominational nor racial boundaries.

That is why I once more congratulate the organisers of this Congress for a job well done and I wish them a wonderful ministry.

Thank you!

4. Opening Message of Mrs. Dany Sauvage

President of Africa Family Life Federation

Friends and experts coming from different countries of Africa, France, United States and Australia, in the name of the Africa Family Life Federation, I have the honour to wish you a warm welcome at our Congress : "Integrating HIV/AIDS Awareness and Behaviour Change in Family Life Programme". The enthusiast response to this meeting proved your deep concern for families whose stability and unity is so vital for our society.

Since 2001 AFLF has taken the challenge to start again the action of FIDAF : supporting the work of Family Life Association working in the field of education about Family life, HIV/AIDS awareness, scientific Natural Family Planning, affective and sexual education for the youth, leading to an integral development of their personality.

Respect of our sexuality being constitutive of our human nature, sexual relation as a language of love, of self-giving, self-control, are values that are experienced by couples living natural family planning.

The more fidelity, abstinence, and the values that promote them, are encouraged by the kind of education offered by Family Life Associations, the more we will have the chance to see the coming of a culture that will neutralise the factors leading to spread HIV/AIDS.

In our congress we will reinforce our motivation through a better understanding of our values and principles. Witnessing the influence of a destabilising culture for our youth and our families, we will take time to analyse the new challenges and new strengths to overcome them. We will also establish to what extent our various programmes answer all these challenges.

Let us not hesitate to dig into the experience of those that succeed, let us not hesitate to take a new direction to reach our objectives. New challenges need new answers. Project will also be elaborated to determine the track we should take in our journey towards our vision of the future.

We will look at different educational programmes which are promising in the construction of a civilisation based on love, stable and united family, protection against HIV/AIDS. Different workshops will lead us to be more professional, efficient and to give a service of quality.

I hope that we will discover what has been the secret of FAMLI to have developed such a successful programme in 5 years. They are now recognised by the government as an active partner in the National and Aid Commission. They have also been asked by the Catholic Secretariat to introduce NFS in each diocese.

We would wish this meeting gives you the opportunity to enrich yourselves through the sharing of your experiences which would lead to the strengthening of fraternal ties so that together we become stronger in the protection of love and life.

Before ending, I propose that we have a special thought for our founders: Claude Lanctot, Félicien Adotevi, Michèle and François Guy, who have done so much for Family Life Associations. We express our deep gratefulness and thanks to Christine du Coudray of Church in Need and Mgr Henryk Hoser from Propaganda Fidei, who support us in our action and sponsored this meeting. A very special thanks to the FAMLI team who have worked so hard in the organisation of this congress.

Danièle Sauvage

5. Message of H.E. Mons. Nicola Girasoli

Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi

Dear Father Dick Cramins, SJ, Executive Director of FAMLI

Dear Chairperson and Members of the Board

Dear Members of the Staff

Dear Brothers and Sisters

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Annual Conference of FAMLI. Your Federation, even if it is not a catholic body, is originated among Catholics and inspired by the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage and sexuality.

I read with deep interest in your Report on 2005, how strong and efficient has been your commitment to help families and young people in fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS and to contribute to the national aim of an AIDS free society. It is also remarkable what you are doing in Mzuzu's Diocese in setting up the diocesan AIDS Cultural Change Program. I also appreciate the cooperation that FAMLI is giving to the Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi in order to establish a natural family planning program in all seven Dioceses of the Country.

My wish is that FAMLI may continue to achieve its aims, that is, "to foster the idea of Marriage as a loving, life-long union of one man and one woman and to provide education about fertility, HIV avoidance and natural family planning".

The late Holy Father, Serve of God, John Paul II, in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa", underlined the value that "by its nature marriage, which has the special mission of perpetuating humanity … has a vital and organic link with society, and far from being closed in on itself, the family is by nature and vocation open to other families and to society, and undertakes its crucial role" (N.85).

FAMLI contributes to build a society as "the family of God" based on values flowing by nature but receiving light and strength from the Gospel.

"In Africa's current historical, social, political, cultural and religious circumstances, the Church – Family of God – draws her energy from Christ, the ever-living Word of God" (Synod of Bishops Luneamenta for the II Special Assembly for Africa, N.4). The more one love of Christ is rooted in the hearts of the people of Africa as well as African cultures and institutions, the more the Continent and its peoples will enjoy fruits of reconciliation, justice and peace.

May the Almighty God bless all of you and strengthen your efforts to build a better world based on the genuine and natural values of family.

H.E. Mons. Nicola Girasoli

Apostolic Nuncio

6. Message of Fr. Joseph Mpinganjira

The President of Africa Family Life Federation, Mrs. Dany Sauvage

Mrs. Florence Kayambo, Chairperson, FAMLI

Dr. Mary Shawa, Principal Secretary, HIV/AIDS and Nutrition in the OPC

The Executive Director, FAMLI – Malawi, Fr. D. Cremins

All delegates from members countries

Religious Leaders,

Al invited guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I welcome you all to this meeting which has been organized by the African Family Life Federation (AFLE) in collaboration with the host organization, namely, the Fertility Awareness Maternal Life International (FAMLI). In a special way I welcome all delegates coming fro outside Malawi. Your presence here expresses the very objective of Africa Family Life Federation of creating link between associations working for family life education and the provision of guidance.

Today, the family unit is faced with so many challenges that need to be addressed. These are challenges that do not observe religious boundaries, hence the appreciated presence of people from different faiths. One of the challenges that families are faced with is the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The theme of your meeting is: "Integrating HIV/AIDS Awareness and Behavior Change in Family Life Programs". The world is indeed doing its best to address this challenge and its impact on human life but in some cases some of the ways are short term. Most of our young generation are only told of the dangers of HIV and AIDS and the use of condom as a preventive method, thus in most cases leaving them confused.

But I believe prevention of HIV/AIDS goes beyond the talk of ABC approach. There is the whole area of sexuality. Our youth need sexual education with the aim of bringing them to discover the values of human sexuality, mutual respect and chastity, which I believe are key factors in HIV/AIDS avoidance.

Taking into account this context of HIV/AIDS we hope your meeting will provide a platform for exchange of information on major family issues, successful family programs and available expertise and resources. We also hope that the meeting will enforce your motivation through a clearer and better understanding of our values and principles which I believe is your decision to promote Natural Family Planning for family enrichment.

To FAMLI I say, do not be afraid of the Church or churches. They will not grab the group or organization from you. You will keep your identity but use the church as a channel to spread and promote Natural Family Planning. After all this is not a new concept in the church and you can't separate yourself. So, once again, FAMLI, do not be afraid of the Church or churches.

With these few remarks, I declare this Congress officially opened.

Fr. Joseph Mpinganjira

III. PROGRAMME TABLE

2006, September

Wed

21 Thurs

Fri

Sat

24 Sun

Mon

Tues

Fri

A. Morning: Plenary == AFLF Values & Principles

8h30-9h30

Plenary

Presentation of participants

Why promote ABCC?

Why promote NFP

AFLF Values and Principles

Sex in our total lives

Promoting AFLF Philosophy

AFLF and Religion

Evaluation

Tea

9h45—12h45

Workshops

Introduction to the meeting

Opening Ceremony

B: Workshops 1. Training of NFP teachers

2: Training for trainers of Educators

3: Administration and programme development

4: Education for life pedagogy

Lunch

Afternoon: Plenary: evaluation/ action

14h00-15h00

C1: Current trends in Africa

Closing Ceremony

New challenges

New strengths and methods

Behavioural change programs

New strengths &

methods Training for Transformation

15h00-16h00

D1: Africa Plan of Action

Projects and financial support

Project elaboration, administration

Abortion in our countries

Networking

Evaluation

Tea

16h30-17h30

B3:Programme Evaluation

C2 : Participants present an evaluation of their own organisations

17h30-18h30

B4: Country Plans of Action

D2 : Participants prepare an outline of a plan of action for their own organisations

The first day started with welcoming word from Mrs. Johnson followed by the introduction of delegates whereby 13 African countries were present. The countries were Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Sudan, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius and RDC. While out of Africa were France, Australia and America.

IV. DELEGATES EXPECTATIONS

Better knowledge on NFP

childless couples

HIV/AIDS

Users to be trainers

Respect for God and life

Education for life

Follow-up

Balancing and handling diversities

Different NFP, method/program

HIV/AIDS

Integrating NFP into Family Programs

Condoms and HIV positive couples

Promoting/selling these programs

Using peer Educator

Best practiced not simply "preached"

NFP recognized training program for Nurses and Doctors

Funding

Sharing with like minded organization

Networking

Sustainability of Programs

African sustainability

Revival/Survival

Motivation

Sharing/Partnership

V. WORKSHOPS

A. NFP Teacher Training

Speaker : Mr. P. Chinthunzi

with Supervisors

Mr. Gaitano Monjeza

and Mrs. Everista Chikupira

B. Training Trainers of NFP Teachers

Speaker : Mrs. F. Chintunzi

Programme :

DAY TOPIC

ONE - Deeper Introductions

- Expectations

- Communication

- Leadership

TWO - Germs of Reference for Trainers

- Selection of Educators

- Scientific basis of NFP

THREE - Skills development/ educational

Methodologies

- Sensitisation and mobilization of clients

FOUR - NFP Initial lesson

- Follow- up sessions

FIVE - Report Writing

- Record Keeping

- Supervision

SIX - Evaluation

- Statistics

- Supervision

C. Education for Life

Speaker : Sr. Dr. Kay Lawlor, Nairobi

Education For Life Pedagogy

Sr. Kay Lawlor begun by asking the participants as to why they have chosen this workshop

EXPECTATIONS

There is greater part in the Youth in the prevention of HIV
To make the Youth linked to the church and elder people
It is an advantages to meet Kay Lawlor who started the Education for Life
To get more skills in the programme
To know the effectiveness of Education for Life program.
To know what other countries are about Education for Life
To know ways of evaluating the efficiency of the programme
To learn Skills on how to help young married couples

SR KAY LAWLOR INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION FOR LIFE

In 1988, Sr. Kay Lawlor went to Uganda. There she went to work in counselling unit, apart from doing her work at the counselling centre, one day she visited one of the Secondary in Uganda. After she visited that school, she discovered that messages that were disseminated did some how fearing young people. Later she visited that school again; students and the headmistress said to her that “they do not want to listen to her messages anymore”. The statistics (HIV/AIDS) getting worse instead of changing...

Sr. Kay Lawlor then realised to use some counselling skills to approach these Young people. She discovered that preaching, telling people what to do and information itself messages was not enough. She decided to use Gerard Egan’s, a helping counselling model. She started with teachers, teachers went through the process.

Sr. Miriam Duggan then Miriam invited Sr Kay Lawlor to introduce the program in Uganda, thereafter Youth Alive was born.

The problem she has discovered; many people are duplicating the program as a result it becoming less valued. Education for Life is not specifically for Youth. It Can be applied in any ways by any group.

TWO WORDS THAT CAUSES CONFUSION

Process
Program

PROCESS

- It involves principals

- It involves steps that leads to goal

- It underlying

It assists others to make their own choices

PROGRAM

- It involves activities that en fleshes the process

“In changing Behaviour, we should not force people to do as we want” let them decide.

You should also ask yourselves, who are your resource person to update you in your program?

MODEL OF PROCESS

It is based in three stages:

PRESENT REALITY

- Honest will help to build trust in the group

- It is good to check our behaviours before approaching others e.g. Am I approachable as facilitator. This will help participants to explore themselves.

- When helping we should avoid blaming people

- The best way is to know and accept the present reality.

NEW PICTURE NO (“ BUT”)

- This stage need the no “But”

- looking at alternatives will help to follow the stage

“But” should be replaced with “and” because

“But” will mean you have given up

“And” will make something to be the same.

I would like to stay in Malawi for 2 weeks but my children are looking for me. Means (she will not stay)

ACTION

In action we should not wait for tomorrow. “Tomorrow never comes”

- We spend time to make people to be me

- Most of the time we fail to change because we look for perfection

D. Programme develoment

Speaker : Madame Jacqueline Leblanc, Mauritius

You can find in the following lines some documents proposed to the participants:

1. Fertility Awareness

FIVE PARTS OF THE UTERUS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

THE TWO SMALL OVARIES

These area two small sacs/organs, which produce mature eggs and hormones.

Functions :

· Storage of eggs

· Growing of eggs

· Maturing eggs

· To release mature eggs

FALLOPIAN TUBES

These are tubes, which opens into the uterus (womb)

Functions

· To receive mature egg

· Transportation of mature eggs

· Its where fertilisation takes place

· Transportation of fertilised eggs

UTERUS (WOMB)

This is a place where the body grows and stay for nine (9) months before delivery

Functions

· Growth of lining

· To receive fertilised egg or baby

· To protect a baby

· Growth of the baby

· It delivers the baby during childbirth.

THE CERVIX OR NECK WOMB

This is the lower of the womb extending into the birth canal

Functions

· It is the entrance of sperms into the womb of fallopian tubes and an exit of a baby during birth and menses.

· Produce fertile mucus.

Functions of the cervical mucus

· Sieve sperms

· Protect sperms

· It feeds sperms

· Transport of sperms

VAGINA

- It is where a couple meets when they are making sexual intercourse

- The birth- canal vaginal tube that extends from the opening of the vagina to the neck of the womb is 12 cms long.

Functions

- To receive sperms

- Passage of the baby at delivery.

HOW THE 5 PARTS OF THE UTERUS WORK.

- These five parts of the uterus work like a bicycle. When we want to ride bicycle everything starts working and is the same with the uterus.

When the eggs in the ovaries start ripening the lining in the uterus starts growing, at the same time the cervix opens and produces fertile mucus, which extends and passes through the vagina where the woman can feel and see it. The other fertile mucus ascends into the uterus making channels through the fallopian tubes.

- The channels are made to facilitate movement of sperms once a woman feels and sees thin fertile mucus. It is an indicator to her that the eggs are maturing, the lining in the uterus is growing and the cervix opens. Mucus comes out and the woman sees the mucus.

- This is the time when a woman can conceive. Therefore if a couple wants to conceive this is the time to meet.

If they don’t want they should abstain.

BREASTFEEDING AND FERTILITY AWARENESS

Three things that can help a breastfeeding woman to avoid pregnancy for the first six months after giving birth are:

If she only gives the baby breast milk.
If she does not give the baby only any solids, even cereal, for the first 6 months.
If she does not have a period after her post- partum bleeding has stopped.

LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA

It is when a woman is fully breastfeeding and her baby is less than 6 months old and she doesn’t have a period.

“LACTATE” Means to breast-feed

“AMENORRHEA” Means without menses

IMPORTANCE OF BREAST MILK TO THE MOTHER.

It reduces the amount of blood women lose after having a baby
It can reduce the woman’s chances of developing breast cancer later in life.
It reduces chances of a woman to become pregnant.

IMPORTANCE OF BREAST MILK TO THE BABY.

It delivers the perfect balance of nutrients to the baby.
It has lining cells and antibodies that fight infections for the baby.
Breastfeeding creates a loving, secure bond between the mother and babies. The baby’s future happy personality depends on the peace and unity in he home in the 1^st year of life, he needs gentleness, tenderness and play while breast-feeding.

THE SOUND BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES

The baby should go to breast immediately after birth because the early milk is very healthy.

The early milk is called Colostrum.

They should nurse whenever he or she is hungry or needs soothing

Early and often breastfeeding helps the mother’s milk supply come in.

A woman who is having trouble with breastfeeding should consult a lactation specialist.
If a baby gets sick with vomiting, diarrhoea or any illness, a woman should continue to breastfeed.

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING

It provides ideal nutrition for the baby
It helps prevent diseases, including HIV/AIDS
For child spacing. As a method of child spacing

A breast-feeding woman should chart always, even if dry all the time, as the first ovulation may come before the first menses.

WHY A BREAST FEEDING WOMAN IS RELUCTANT TO HAVE INTERCOURSE:

She is a slow mountain climber
Excessive vaginal dryness that at times can make intercourse painful

FERTILITY AWARENESS AFTER COMING OFF THE CONTRACEPTIONS

To come off the contraception’s, the first step is to stop taking it now.
Realise that different contraception’s` affects the body metabolism in different ways and when you stop taking the contraception’s the body may react in different ways.

Here is list of the common are:

Usually within a few days of stopping the contraception, withdraw bleeding occurs.
The time between this withdraw bleeding and the first normal menses will probably be longer than the length of the cycles you are on contraception.
A true menses is usually heavier than a contraception bleeding
The cycles may be irregular and vary in length from cycle to cycle.
The number of late infertile days may be irregular for a while and sometimes may be few in number
After stopping the contraception some women can conceive very soon and those who wish to avoid pregnancy should chart and observe regularly.
The learning time after contraception is to abstain for two weeks while charting and have intercourse after peak plus four.
I f you are trying to achieve pregnancy after the contraception, it is advisable to avoid conception for at least six months as there is an increased risk of miscarriages before that some women are infertile for many months after the contraception, such women should not be disheartened. Most likely fertility will return if they are patient.

ADVICE

Take an ordinary good diet containing plenty of vitamins and don’t be over anxious, time is an important factor and the body sometimes needs a lot of it to return its usual pattern.
Sometimes the menses return soon but without appearance of fertile mucus until several months have passed then all is well again.

2. Chart Analysis

WHAT IS CHART ANALYSIS ?

It is to scrutiny of clients chart to see if she is able to chart her cycle correctly and ensure that the client can interpret her signs and be able to relate them with what is happening in the body.

IMPORTANCE OF CHART ANALYSIS

a. I t helps the teacher to learn and follow a woman’s cycle.

b. It helps the woman to know and understand fertile and infertile periods of her cycle.

c. It helps a family to trace when conception took place in case they have un planned pregnancy.

d. It helps a family to determine the time when the conceived be baby shall be born.

e. It helps to easily identify problem, which women come across during their menstrual cycle.

DUTY/ROLE OF A TEACHER TO ENSURE THAT CLIENTS CHART

CORRECTLY.

a. A teacher must explain clearly about the phases of the cycle and how to apply the rules of Natural Family Planning.

b. A teacher must explain that NFP is more advantageous than any other method of family planning.

c. A teacher should ensure that a woman is able to identify her fertile mucus.

d. A teacher should ensure that his/her clients are able to use the symbols correctly on the chart.

e. A teacher must make sure that his/her clients are able to use the symbols in relation with what they observe.

f. A teacher must ensure that clients are able to know when to abstain and it’s important from the cycle.

g. A teacher must discuss with his/her clients with a humble manner

h. A teacher must find better ways of monitoring and convincing the clients, how to use NFP as a method of basic family planning.

i. A teacher must give hope and trust in clients about the reliability of Natural Family Planning.

j. He must enlighten his/her clients on how to make sex exciting, especially during breast feeding and pre-menopause time

Irregular cycles

These are cycles in the woman whose length vary from one cycle to the other but different circumstances, a woman may be in (transitional periods)

Irregular cycles commonly take place in during transitional periods like:

Breast feeding
Coming off the contraceptions
A Pre-menopause
After miscarriage.

Samples of irregular cycles

Patterns

Regular cycles

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST FOLLOW UP VISIT AFTER TWO WEEKS OF ABSTAINANCE

1. For the users to learn their cycle

2. For the teacher to know the client’s cycle

3. It gives chance to the user to learn how to abstain

4. To let the client to enjoy the joy of abstainance

5. To let the client to chart correctly

CHART ANALYSIS AFTER TWO WEEKS OF ABSTAINANCE

CHART ANALYSIS

3. Strategic plan on NFP and HIV/AIDS cultural change

WHAT PLANNING IS

Planning is a process of putting ideas together and strategies in order to achieve a goal or objective.

IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

It helps an individual or a group of people to carry out the planned activities systematically.
It helps to find strategies on how the planned activities can be carried out systematically
It is a guide to look for challenges and solutions and achievements of what has been planned.
It helps to fix a deadline of when to accomplishment of a planned activity.
It helps to make a proper follow-up and monitoring of planned activities.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING

Time frame
Strategies: These are methods of approach when carrying out planned activities.
Evaluation
Achievements/ Failures

WHAT TO PLAN

When planning (for NFP and HIV/AIDS Cultural Change) the following should be included:

· Schemes of work

· Lesson notes

· Meetings with

· Action plan

A plan must be: SMART

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time bound

4. Evaluation

WHAT IS EVALUATION

To evaluate is to make a judgement

It may mean the evaluation personnel, NFP sessions, of a programme, of a project, of an activity, e.t.c

THE OBJECTIVE OF EVALUATION

The objective of evaluation is to provide precise information, which will help decide which corrective measures to undertake in order to improve the situation.

IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATION

Evaluation enables one to:

Know how well we did: whether we have accomplished what we planned or not.
Know each ones potential
Know who needs training and of what type
Analyse the seasons for successes or failures
Set new objectives e.g. it is an important element of ongoing planning

EVALUATION AS AN ORGANISED PLAN

Evaluation is an organise d process and must thus be planned

Clarify and review the objectives to determine the features of the project to be examined and the questions to be answered.
Identify the information and data that will be needed, including qualitative ones.
Determine how the information ones
Determine how the information will be collected.
Analysis (relates to questions to be answered)

- Compare

- Judge

- Since evaluation is to judge establish whether we are doing well or better or more, we need a baseline to compare with, even if at the present it only exists in our imagination.

- An evaluation plan is based on the project plan.

WHEN TO EVALUATE

- Evaluation should be a systematic process, continually done again and again

- Evaluation should be included in the programme plan.

THE CLIMATE OF EVALUATION

- For an evaluation to be effective there must be a trusting relationship between the evaluator and the evaluatee.

- If the person concerned feels that he will be judged negatively, it will not work out.

- It must be, at the very start, well understood that an evaluation is not a fault – finding activity. The climate of evaluation must give a positive look and not a fault – finding view.

5. Teaching Premenopause

1. DEFINE PRE- MENO- PAUSE

Before menses stop

2. Why is important that couples know what happens before menses stop

- So that they know what to do before the time comes.

3. This condition occurs in women normally from the age of 35-45

4. What signs does a woman have during this period

- Irregular cycles

- Persistent pap

- Hot flushes

- Slow but persistent backaches, headaches and hand pains

· Women shift attention to children or grandchildren (sexual feeling is reduced)

· Persistent dryness of the vagina

· Loss of libido

· Fertile, mucus sometimes comes with blood

· Painful breast and tenderness.

WHAT COUPLES SHOULD DO DURING PREMENOPAUSE

Increase play before sex
Apply lubricate ornaments around the vaginal to ease dryness.
Wait and see whenever there are blood spots.
Husband should develop more love and understand to ease depression
While irregular trends of the woman’s signs may be confusing to the couple, pre menopause marks the beginning of every exciting phase of their sexual life.
The end of pre menopause is menopause stage when a woman completely stops menses and can not conceive any more.
Different cultures have different myths (miyambo), which may be misleading and should be ignored.
It is very important for a couple to practice a lot of foreplay, love talking and emotional understanding before they reach pre menopause so that when the time comes they just continue what they already know
During pre menopause it is very important tat a couple should continue charting
Menses can only be said to have stopped completely if twelve continuous months pass without fertile mucus, menses and persistent blood spots.

6. Leadership

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP

Leadership is to lead or to guide a group of people or certain organisation to do things in a good manner with authority.

Some people regard leadership as mysterious, charismatic qualities, which some people have and some do not have.

It can also be seen as a skill that many people can develop if they are willing to take time to observe what goes in a group.

- Identify clearly the main need of groups.

- Learning ways of dealing with these needs

- Participating these skills in many different situations

- Taking people’s feelings seriously

- Listening to feed back about other reactions to their own behaviour as a leader

- Making changes in their behaviour so that people will respond in positive and not negative way to them.

- It takes sinisterly, humility and love to develop ones skill as a leader and it takes a number of years to practice.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

- Be understandable

- Be kindly, be patience

- Prudent, flexibility, availability, sensitive

- Loving, tolerant and confident

LEADERSHIP STYLES

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

A Leader announces his decision with no feeling of responsibility to share their reasons.

CONSULTATIVE LEADERSHIP

A Leadership identifies a situation or problem and moves into a facilitating role to surface

Assumptions and suggestions but he removed out of that facilitating role and makes his

own decision.

ENABLING/ PARTICIPATORY SHARED LEADERSHIP

A Leader maintenance facilitating role, knowing members to identify situation or problems, see limits explore and make decisions.

VI. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Sr. Kelechi Julie Agugo (Nigeria)

), Thomas Mwagi (Kenya) and Rene Ecochard (France)

A. "Why do we promote ABCc ?"

After a short presentation, the participants came up with the following explanations for the A.B.C.C.

A - stands for Abstinence before marriage. This is abstinence from sex and sexual activities

B - Be faithful - to your wife or husband in marriage

C - Be chaste - Chastity

C - Clarification of condom issues.

The participants felt that to abstain alone was more physical and possibly was more out of fear of contracting HIV/AIDS than the respect of the other person.

While being faithful was meant being faithful to one's spouse - wife or husband.

Chastity gives value to the abstinence and makes it more spiritual. It is an all encompassing value bringing our purity of the mind, body and soul and therefore transforming the total personality of the person.

In marriage it bears love - a value that seeks the good of the other person. While abstinence refers to deferring a human function, chastity calls upon person’s total response to the good of the other person.

"What are the facts for promoting A.B.C.C. ?"

The A.B.C.C. is based on facts and prefer long term solutions rather than short term.

The short term solutions could possibly be brought about by lust and selfishness from one partner.

The principle behind A.B.C.C. is the value of the Human being and it is based upon the plan of God for humanity.

B. Why do we promote N.F.P. ?

VI.2.1 - The presenter sought N.F.P. values through questions that elicited values.

The following values emerged.

Answers proposed by the group	Classification by the presenter
- that N.F.P. is a way of life and NOT an alternative method nor an appended extra method.	Clarification about N.F.P.
- that N.F.P. enhances the health of the mother and the baby.	Benefits for the person, the couple, the society, …
- that N.F.P. enhances the dignity of the woman and the family	Benefits for the person, the couple, the society, …
- that N.F.P. improves upon the spirituality of the couple	Benefits for those who believe in a created word
- that N.F.P. brings about the dialogue between husband and wife for the welfare of the family	Benefits for the person, the couple, the society, …
- for couples using N.F.P. in their marriage, they are obeying God's Law	Religious grounds / fundaments
- for couples using N.F.P. they are following church's teaching on family planning	Religious grounds / fundaments
- N.F.P. brings about reverence for life in the couple	Human grounds / fundaments
- for couples using N.F.P., they view the method as a way of praising God for what He has done for them	Religious grounds / fundaments
- the body has to be respected for its truth without being manipulated	Human grounds / fundaments
- N.F.P. helps see the person for the person one is and not the body which is the covenant reality in marriage	Benefits for the person, the couple, the society, …
- N.F.P. helps to mature the value of continence	Benefits for the person, the couple, the society, …
- N.F.P. is nature's way like rivers flow from up the mountains to the lowlands is same with human fertility and man's part is to reconcile himself with fertility's naturalness.	Human grounds / fundaments

VI.2.2 - Presentation of a pedagogical tool: the tree

The tree helps us to make a distinction among the “values” we want to live in the context of fertility regulation.

They are 3 categorizes of benefits (the fruits):

1. for the person, the couple, the society : N.F.P. enhances the health of the mother, the dignity of the woman, the dialogue between husband and wife;…

2. for the sexuality : N.F.P. open the couple to a comprehensive view of sexuality, with a place for tenderness, dialogue, pleasure, et.; Desire is recovered thanks to abstinence; ..

3. for those who believe in a created word : N.F.P. contributes to the worship given to God, N.F.P. improves upon the spirituality of the couple;..

They are conditions to be able to live our marital relationship using N.F.P. (trunk):

1. dialogue between the man and the woman

2. faithfulness

3. apprenticeship

4. note the observation conscientiously

5. …

They are grounds (roots):

1. Human grounds : N.F.P. is nature's way like rivers flow from up the mountains to the lowlands is same with human fertility and man's part is to reconcile himself with fertility's naturalness; the body has to be respected for its truth without being manipulated; ..

2. Religious grounds: We have not unlimited power in face of the creation; we are its servants not its masters; N.F.P. contributes to the worship given to God; We put ourselves under God's protection;..

VI.2.3 We are called to broaden our views about sexuality:

Union and Procreation - Covenant and Filiation

Married love reaches its plenitude when the two members of the couple experience a deep, stable, and lasting relationship. Through marriage, they have made an covenant, they are engaged, they are joined. From that union, children will be born and love is the origin of their filiation. Intercourse, as a link between union and procreation, is the point where alliance and filiation converge. Beyond dialogue, pleasure, and reproduction, intercourse is full of symbols.

This link between union and procreation was well settled along the past centuries. The advent of contraception broke this link. Weakening the link between union and procreation is the source of the events that marked covenant and filiation during the last decades.

An adequate choice of the method for planned parenthood is crucial for the quality of the covenant that underlies life in society and for the well-being of future generations, that is our filiation. This is a major argument for choosing natural methods for family planning.

C. Federation’s values in comparison with the declaration of the World Summit for Religious Leaders

In order to explore the Federation 's values and identity the delegates were invited to react on the declaration of the World Summit for Religious Leaders (Moscow on 5 July 2006) and to compare this declaration to the content of the Guidelines (basic principles) of Africa Family Life Federation (AFLF)

(Extract from the “Guidelines” of the former International Federation for Family Life Promotion : 1974-1997)

Results of the workshop: similarities and complementarities between these two documents

	Guidelines (basic principles) of Africa Family Life Federation (AFLF) Cotonou on 2 November 2001	Declaration of the World Summit of Religious Leaders Moscow on 5 July 2006
Responsibility	People in the modern world have many individual and social responsibilities.
Specific problems at time the document has been written (IFFLP, 1974)	The present rate of world population growth underlines man's responsibilities in the area of fertility control, though this is not the sole solution to the population problem. Social reforms, economic development and the raising of living standards also play important, if not primary roles.	Human life is a gift of the Almighty. Our sacred duty is to preserve it…
Society		law and social order should seek to bring together in fruitful harmony a commitment to rights and freedom as well as an awareness of the ethical principles that constitute life in human society.
Needs	To help face these responsibilities maturely and freely the individual needs information and education, developing henceforth all the potentialities of the human person.
Family	The family unit, which is vital for the development of society, has three essential elements:	the family needs support today, for it is the privileged context for cultivating the free, intelligent and moral human personality.
	man as a person, husband, father;
	woman as a person, wife, mother;
	child present actually or potentially, to be respected as a person from conception.
	For a couple, a loving, generous, faithful and stable relationship promotes their security, as well as their children's.
Person	Growth as a person is a gradual and continuing process. The surmounting of difficulties seems to be a necessary part of this process. This applies to all aspects of the person, including sexuality.	The human person is the Creator's unique creation, whose existence reaches into eternity. Humans should not become either a commodity or an object of […] … transcendent value of human life from conception until its final breath and natural death. ….women and men, children and the elderly, as well as people with disabilities, all have their special gifts. The human person is the supreme creation of the Almighty.
Sexuality	In this context, human sexuality is best expressed in loving interpersonal relationships.
Education	Knowledge of themselves and each other promotes this relationship. The responsibility of conception regulation is inherent in this relationship.	Through education and social action, we must make people aware of sustainable ethical values.
	The process of education should be understood as a sharing of information in the framework of a dialogue which is simultaneously a listening of and acceptance of each other in an equal base.
N.F.P.	Thus, the couple becomes responsible not only for the application of a method of conception regulation but for a way of life freely chosen.
	In this context, natural family planning is defined as a dialogue leading to responsible parenthood based on an educated awareness and acceptance of the cyclic phases of fertility and infertility.
	Loving abstinence in married life becomes basic to this dialogue.
Spiritual aspects	We respect and accept spiritual values, from whatever source,	We, … believe that the human person is religious by nature. Human life is a gift of the Almighty. We believe these values to be given to us by the Almighty and deeply rooted in human nature. They are also shared by our religions in many practical ways.
	which may deepen the understanding and sustain the purpose of a person or a couple.	Since the dawn of history, religion has played the key role in the development of thought, culture, ethics and the social order.
		Interreligious dialogue should be maintained …. We deplore attempts to artificially "merge" religious traditions or to change them without the will of their adherents, in order to make them more secular. Our communities are also ready to enter into dialogue with those whose views are non-religious… We hope that such a dialogue will continues, permitting religions to contribute to concord and understanding among nations, and building a common home founded on truth and justice, and enlivened by love and liberty…. Let us help one another and all well-intentioned people to build a better future for the entire human family.

D. Some elements of clarification about condom for couples living with AIDS

(discordant couple or both are HIV+)[1]

We believe

We believe that love causes man to find fulfilment through the sincere gift of self. From love arise relationships lived in gratuitousness, which by respecting personal dignity takes the form of generous service and solidarity.

Knowing that with or without condom sexual unions threaten the non infected spouse, the only appropriate choice for the couple living with AIDS is to tackle this situation with heroic love.

The couples making this choice will live their couple relationship without sexual intercourse.

Several of us have seen couple making this choice and seeing their life enlightened by this simple courageous way of live. The beauty of abstinence, freely chosen, must be emphasised.

Scientific facts

Condom:

-Condoms reduce but do not eliminate the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission: protects 4 out of 5 times (Evidence for Action Global Health Council, 1701 K Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006)

- How condom is handled could modify dramatically the risk

- Manufacture and transportation (temperature...) have also an impact on the risk

- The risk of HIV transmission is probably lower during the infertile phase, the cervix being closed

AIDS:
- If viral load is high the risk of transmission is higher

- Sexual infection increases the risk of transmission

- AIDS infection has a 100% rate of fatality (ARV therapy prolongs life)

- If the couple conceives the risk for the child to be HIV + is 30%

In one sentence:

With or without condom sexual unions threaten the non infected spouse in a discordant couple and if both are HIV+ can shorten the survival time. Is it still love having sexual unions and threatening the life of the other person?

Counsellor-counselling

- Full of emotion: decreases our ability to deal with the problem

- To be able to make a good job there is a need for

- clarification of our own life and beliefs

- training

- understanding of all aspects to consider with the couple

- Several different approaches or steps:

- totally non-directive approach : the counsellor helps the members of the couple to identify for themselves all the aspects of the problem, their objectives, needs and desires, their responsibility (toward their spouse and their family), their strengths and weaknesses,..

- brings information, not only on biological aspects, but also on all aspects even if the couple did not mention them: responsibility, signification of love, etc.

- open the couple to the spiritual dimension of their life: how they imagine developing their couple and family life in this new situation where illness comes and darkens their perspective; tackling difficult situation with heroic love [2] might open many avenues of fulfilment.

Moral issue

What makes the person less human is morally wrong.

What uplifts the person is the opposite.

Love

There is love when everything is sunshine, but there is also love in darkness. Signification of the commitment to love for better and for worse, in sickness and in health.

Love needs concreteness to develop its potentialities. Love causes man to find fulfilment through the sincere gift of self. To love means to give and receive something given freely and mutually.

To uplift the other in the couple relationship we enter to love in another way: empathy, compassion, support.

Fertile and infertile phase and condom

The group has worked and discussed about the choice made by some couples to have sexual union during the infertile phase of the cycle, using a condom. This document is not an official document of the AFLF but rather, a plenary discussion.In spite of the high quality of the discussion we have had, the group did not end with a consensus. We have decided together to try to clarify some of the tendencies, which will be made below.

We all agree on several important aspects

- All of us want to live in accordance to the project of God for the humanity

- All of us agree that we need to go and read carefully the document of the authorities of our faith group; we do not want to make any choice against the project of God, and we acknowledge strongly that our spiritual authorities are the one who can help us to make the appropriate choices.

The majority of the participants being catholic, several participants said that it would be necessary to read carefully the references in this mater (Evangelium Vitae, Catechism of the catholic church, Splendor Veritaris, etc.) and to ask directly for advice in this important matter; a brother of another Christian Churche and a brother of Muslim faith said both that condom might not be considered as an appropriate solution in any case. Saying that they nevertheless insist to call for a common reflection to continue to have a better understanding in this domain.

- We have already identified some of the similarities and differences between fertile and infertile phase in the context of using condom for couples living with AIDS (discordant couple or both are HIV+)

Similarities between fertile and infertile period:

- put a fence in the sexual relationship, which has a negative symbolic signification, in the intimate communion of the couple created by the Almighty; some made a reference to the Bible (Genesis Ch.2)

- threaten the life of the spouse, because there is still a risk of contamination.

Differences:

- the couple having no sexual union during the fertile phase in order to adapt his behaviour to not objectively avoid a pregnancy have a positive attitude to respect the specificity of this period during which the sexual union may be the place of procreation.

- the risk of HIV transmission is probably lower during the infertile phase, the cervix being closed; nevertheless, doing this way is still threatening the life of the spouse, because there is still a risk of contamination.

Diversity of approaches

The majority of the participants being catholic, they had the opportunity to confront their understanding about this subject. We summaries shortly some of the positions keeping them integral, without to try to critic or confirm them:

1 - "Taking into account the teachings of the Catholic Church on the condom and taking into account the scientific facts about the condom, having sex with the condom even in the infertile phase is a misleading medical tool"

2 - "We cannot accept the public declarations promoting the use of condom, the promotion in the large public sector being a message in contradiction with human dignity. But the Catholic Church encourages its members to carefully study with each specific couple the way they will live this difficult situation created by HIV for infected people."

3 - "The intention of the couple and the objective-concrete aspect of their decision have both to be considered appropriately (see for example, Veritatis Splendor). Living his sexual relationship only in the infertile phase the couple put into action concretely and objectively his desire to respect life and the way God has placed the procreation in the sexual communion. The condom used in the infertile period has no objective concrete action against procreation. Nevertheless this choice might result in the contamination of the spouse"

4 - "In this domain it is first of all important to open the couple to the spiritual dimension of their life: how they imagine developing their couple and family life in this new situation where illness comes and darkens their perspective; tackling difficult situation with heroic love might open many avenues of fulfilment; the image of heroic love has a profound significance: the spouses are called to love heroically as Christ loved and died for the sake of the human race".

VII. NEW CHALLENGES

Today's challenges were introduced by reacting on the UN Protocol that includes abortion as a human right for African women. The group was thus confronted to the UN destructive strategy towards family. Other topics have been raised but no report was available.

A. The Right to Kill

Dick Cremins, S.J.

At first sight The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa is an admirable document. It sets out in detail all the areas in which the dignity and health of women need to be fully respected and the commitments that States need to make if their countries are to approach the ideal.

The Sections of the Protocol deal with the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; their Rights to Life, Dignity, Integrity and Security of their Persons, to Participation in the Political and Decision-Making Process, to Peace and Protection in Armed Conflicts, to Education and Training, to Economic and Social Welfare, to Food Security, to Adequate Housing, to a Positive Cultural Context, to a Healthy and Sustainable Environment and to Sustainable Development. They call for the Elimination of Harmful Practices, for Access to Justice and Equal Protection before the Law, for fair treatment in Marriage, Separation, Divorce or Annulment, for the Rights of Widows to Inheritance, for Special Protection for Women who are Elderly, Disabled or in Distress.

Abortion as a Human Right

It is disappointing, then, to find, tucked away in the last lines of Article 14 on Health and Reproductive Rights, that:

“States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to protect the reproductive rights of women by authorising medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or the foetus.”

This is the classical formula that leads in practice to abortion on demand.

We may pass over the howler contained in the last few words quoted, the contradiction that a foetus [= child] may be killed because continuing the pregnancy might place its [=his/her] life in danger, and consider how false is the assumption that the mental or physical health of the mother or her very life could be in danger if her child is not aborted.

Abortion and Mental Health

Although plenty of evidence exists about the damage that abortion often does to a mother’s mental health, further research may be needed to oblige pro-abortionists to look at it. Following this line, a Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives has called on the National Institutes of Health to get the scientific community to investigate the link between abortion and depression. The same request was made by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop back in 1989, without result because the scientific community have not been keen on studies like this. Many advocates of abortion just prefer to assert that abortion does not affect the mother’s mental condition. The Subcommittee’s letter notes that in the past the NIH has not been overly cooperative with Congressional inquiries, saying, “We will not allow the present inquiry to be delayed,” and asking that “the response to this inquiry will be timely and accurate.”

This move on the part of the House Sub-committee was occasioned by a study in New Zealand by Dr. David M. Fergusson, who declared in a radio interview that he was in favour of allowing abortion but thought it important to have as much information about its effects as possible. He studied a group of more than 500 girls from birth to age 25 and found that compared with women who had never had an abortion, women who had aborted were at a higher risk for suicide, major depression, anxiety disorder and drug dependence. He has also criticised the American Psychological Association for its absolutist stance that there is no link between abortion and mental health and for disregarding the findings of a number of studies that had claimed its negative effects.^[3]

Abortion and the Life of the Mother

What about abortion to save the life of the mother? Is it ever necessary? During the ten years from 1970-1979 (inclusive) 21 mothers died during 74,317 births in Dublin’s National Maternity Hospital, which is the largest obstetric unit in Great Britain and Ireland and one of biggest in the world. A study of these deaths concluded that not one of these twenty-one lives could have been saved by an abortion.[4] None of these women died in childbirth because therapeutic abortion was not available.

Although abortion is illegal in Ireland, it has one of the best records in the world for safety in childbirth. Could this be connected with the change in UNICEF’s Report on The State of the World’s Children which increased Ireland’s Maternal Mortality Rate from 2 per 100,000 births in 1996 (the best in the world), to 10 in 1997, reducing the country to tenth place?[5]

To reduce maternal deaths Africa needs not more abortion but better health services and more medical skill.

Obligations of Signatories

However, the U.N. pro-abortionist, feminist lobby has other priorities and has got the Human Right to Kill One’s Child recognised for Africa.

“The Protocol will enter into force thirty days after it has been ratified by fifteen states and will oblige other states when they ratify it.” Possibly it could be ratified with a reservation about abortion, which might be a campaign objective for pro-life people in Malawi.

States who ratify the Protocol commit themselves to see that it is implemented at national level and to take legislative and other measures for the full realisation of the rights described, including abortion rights. The Protocol suggests that this could include amending a country’s constitution and other existing laws, as well as modifying social and cultural patterns of conduct of women and men through public education, information. This will be quite an exercise in the “reformation of the social order”, to borrow a phrase dear to Catholics.

Amnesty International

In what many will see as a massive contradiction of its own principles, Amnesty International may be about to abandon its neutrality about abortion and to start “actively promoting rights for women to procure abortions.” At the time of writing Amnesty in Great Britain has already adopted a pro-abortion position while the World Body is polling its members on the issue, This looks like a strategic take over of AI by promoters of abortion, which can only result in splitting the association wide open and damaging its effectiveness in its traditional activities. Father Joaquin Allied of Aid to the Church in Need has said, "AI has earned a high reputation for its intensive efforts to gain the release of innocent prisoners of conscience. Now by proposing a pro-abortion initiative it is abandoning its own noble ethical principles, thereby shaking the very foundations on which it is built."[6]

Implications for AFLF

These moves create no problem for Zambia where the Termination of Pregnancy Act was introduced almost overnight with a minimum of protest from the Churches and others who might have been expected to get excited over the violation of the first human right. However, they pressurise other countries like Malawi into legalising the killing of children by their mothers. This pressure will be increased by the affiliates of the International Planned Parenthood Federation which has an expressed policy objective of having abortion legalised everywhere. Here is a challenge to all who are pro-life.

What to Do?

If this was a proposal to extend the death penalty for convicted murderers to every country in Africa, we can imagine that human rights activists would soon be up in arms. Are we to remain silent as the death penalty (without trial) is introduced for innocent children? Will we take steps to prevent ratification of the protocol on this point? Will we unite in devising a strategy for having the Protocol amended on this point? Or will we maintain our silence?

VIII. NEW STRENGTHENS

The new strengthens were highlighted by the presentation of different existing programmes that help couples and youths to live their vocation of human beings in connection with the plan of God.

A. Hanna Klaus- Teens Star

B. Kay Lawlor- Education for life

C. Fred and Sally Olweny-Couples United ( Married couples deepen your life together)

D. Father Cremins -Famil Program

E. Monica Barenzi-Family Life Programme in Uganda

F. Robert Knontchou- Learning to CherishValue based education programme for school

G. Sister Leonie- False belief on marriage

IX. PROJECTS ELABORATION AND FUND RAISING

A. Fund raising

3 programmes which succeeded to find funds were presented :

· Malawi,

· Uganda

· and Mauritius.

4 points were highlighted :

1.Find the link between our work and the needs of the society eg Maternal health /NFP, Breast feeding/NFP/HIV , HIV/NFP ,promotion of women/education of men/NFP.

2.Convince the donors by our competence,provide a service of quality, and communicate our realisation

3.Develop relationship with the Government and the international organisations.

4.Make our value attractive.

We are all invited to develop our skills to present projects to US agencies, and different ambassies. We all agreed that we must develop way to have access to funds keeping our values and objectives.

B. Each delegate was then invited to chose one group work to prepare a project:

1.Family Life Programme for couple

2.Education for Life programme for youths.

3.Value based education programme for schools.

4.Catechism for family

The work of the groups was presented the last day.

X. THE CONFERENCE RESOLUTION STATEMENT

1. We, the Delegates to the Africa Family Life Federation’s Second Pan African Anglophone Congress held at Kambiri Lodge, Salima, Malawi, from the 20^th to the 27^th September 2006, come from Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the host country Malawi. We met together with the representative of SECAM and experts from Nigeria, Kenya, France and the USA on the theme of “Integrating HIV and AIDS Awareness and Behavior Change into Family Life Programmes”.

2. We first want to pay tribute to and thank most sincerely the donors whose generous contribution allowed the Congress to take place: AID to The Church in Need and the Pontifical Missionary Society. And we acknowledge with gratitude the inspiration received from Dr. Claude Lanctot and Drs. Francois and Michele Guy. We also thank the Link Committee for bringing the Federation into being, the AFLF Board Members for bringing us together, and FAMLI, Malawi for hosting the Congress.

3. We propose that the Africa Family Life Federation be declared a faith-based organization which is open to individuals and groups of all Faiths who believe in God and whose values and principles are in line with those of the Federation.

4. Having had time during the Congress to reflect and share together as a family we now resolve to:

a) rededicate ourselves and our programmes to the values and principles of the Federation and to fostering the quality of family life in Africa. In doing this we reaffirm the dignity of human life from conception to a natural death and we promote the ideal of marriage as a lifelong union of a man and a woman

b) uphold and promote scientific Natural Family Planning (NFP)

c) build the capacity of the members of the Federation in order to ensure the professional practice of NFP;

d) network with individuals, groups, institutions, governments and international organizations to foster the practice of the values and principles of the Federation;

e) call on international agencies to collaborate with us in making NFP a recognized and available method of family planning;

f) carry out effective programmes for the growth and development of youth and their avoidance of HIV infection and AIDS through emphasis on abstinence and being faithful (AB) as the only sure way of avoiding infection; and to provide care and support for the families of those infected or affected by the virus;

g) work with informed parents and guardians in advocating appropriate human and sexuality education programs in schools;

h) create a forum for the exchange of information, expertise, and resources that will enhance the work of members of the Federation; special attention will be given to work on a “Catechism of Family Life”;

i) promote the equal availability of quality education for both the boy and the girl child.

5. We ask God’s help in carrying these resolutions forward.

Approved by the Delegates on 27 September 2006

Signed by Mrs. Dany Sauvage, AFLF President, on behalf of the Delegates AFLF Anglophone Meeting Programme

XI. CLOSING SPEECH BY Mrs SAUVAGE

Dear Friends,

We are now at the end of our meeting and at the beginning of a new adventure.

We worked hard to analyse and explicit the values and principles which direct our action:

God's presence in the heart of his nation

The link of love an life

Human life a gift of God

We have been honoured by the presence of different Church leaders; our common beliefs bond us in a special way and lead us to promote family life and to protect human life.

The interfaith celebration has been a very special moment. Different workshops open the way to a continuous training. We are conscious of the necessity to invest in the training of trainers and will explore this issue. We have been exposed to different educational programmes for youths and couples and are confirmed that they can be used as tools to promote family life and HIV awareness. The elaboration of projects and their implementation is the starting action of our work together. It is our actions which will measure the quality of this congress.

We observed the transformation of the group, ties are now created and we are no more alone. We know that this link is vital for our action. We have also admired your competences and I would like to thank specially all of you who contributed in a special way.

We need your expertise to create and promote other associations. Many couples asked for NFP way of life. We cannot keep this treasure for ourselves: it is our mission to share what we have received.

I would like to give a special thank to the trainers of the workshops :

To the Malawian team, who worked so hard here and before. Their spirit of love and service strike us. Congratulations to father Cremins for the creation of the Anglophone zone which is now a reality.

We will continue to work together. I wish you all the best for your projects.

Dany Sauvage

[1] Recap from the workshop, written by Sr. Kelechi Julie Agugo (Nigeria), Thomas Mwagi (Kenya), and Rene Ecochard (France) 25 Sep. 06

[2] for Christians, the image of heroic love has a profound significance: the spouses are called to love heroically as Christ loved and died for the sake of the humans

[3] Culture & Cosmos, February 1, 2006. Culture of Life Foundation, Washington, D.C.

[4] By Mr. John Murphy, MD, FRCPI, MRCOG, reported in Irish Medical Journal, September 1982.

[5] According to the Personal Update, April 2006,of Family & Life, Dublin, the Rate was 5 in UNFPA’s World Mortality Report: 2005

[6] Quoted in LifeZine #391, Bulletin of Family & Life, Ireland.