Two-thirds of the 40 million people infected with the disease are in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, over five million children and adults are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 250,000 people of Namibia's total population of 1.8 million are infected with the disease.

Participants will spend time in communities where ERD's programs are saving lives and share their reflections through words and pictures during their trip. The group will visit projects in the Dioceses of Namibia and Cape Town including a feeding center for children orphaned by the disease and a development project, which supports HIV-positive women in a quilting cooperative.

"This unique pilgrimage provides an opportunity for five women in dioceses from the east and west coast to see firsthand the important ministry and work of ERD," said Brian Sellers-Petersen, ERD Director of West Coast Operations. "ERD helps people suffering from the disease and supports the families and children HIV/AIDS leaves behind." Sellers-Petersen is accompanying the group.

During the next 12 days, please experience and visit The Africa Ubuntu Pilgrimage Page to read personal reflections of participants of the Ubuntu Africa Pilgrimage. If you would like to donate to the AIDS Relief Fund, log onto http://www.er-d.org/ or call (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o AIDS Relief Fund, PO Box. 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.

Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.