HIV/AIDS is not a threat to the Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe : is this a myth? ; with special focus on identifying the absence of pastoral care for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in this suburb.

Abstract

The essential question behind this thesis is: How can we respond to the pastoral needs of Christian Indians in Northdale/Raisethorpe, with regards to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, when there is this silence among those that are infected and affected and the lack of concern from the church ?

This topic desires to research the silence among the Christian Indians of

Northdale/Raisethorpe to look into the possibility that it is a myth that HIV/AIDS is not a threat to the Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe. Certain aspects of this problem need to be investigated to prove the myth and to open an avenue for pastoral counselling and care. In this investigation I intend to revisit and open a new dialogue with the clergy to set up combined structures that will alleviate the suffering in the

Northdale/Raisethorpe community in regards to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The interview collections and research findings support the hypothesis that it is a myth that HIV/AIDS is not a threat to Christian Indians of Northdale/Raisethorpe.