IWU DOULOS screening of “Blood Brother” makes impact on students

Some 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS and according to the World Health Organization. Most of them do not have access to prevention, care and treatment and there is still no cure.

 

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Doulos chapter hosted a screening to nearly a hundred students of “Blood Brother” this past Thursday night in IWU’s chapel auditorium. Along with the film, they had a station to write encouraging letters to the orphan’s in the video and place to prayer for the injustices in the world. After the film, there was a time of reflection and worship.

 

IWU Doulos is a non-profit organization at IWU that aims to mobilize students to take action in the global pandemic of injustice through awareness, advocacy, and activism. Their aim was to raise awareness of the horrors of AIDS in countries where the people who have been diagnosed with it are cast out.

 

“Blood Brother” is a film showing the life of a man named Rocky who made the choice to move to India to help take care of and be a father figure of the kids at the AIDS orphanage. The film shows little kids suffering and sometimes dying from AIDS.

 

The goal of screening this movie at IWU was to bring about awareness of this issue to the students here. I spoke with a few students to get their take on the film and how it impacted them.

 

Erilyn Corliss is a junior who has never been exposed to this kind of injustice. She said, “This opened my eyes, being my first time seeing that kind of pain and suffering. It was heartbreaking.”

 

Becky Nierste, a junior nursing major, describe what she saw in the film: “This movie brought to life the severity and horrific effects of children with AIDS who have no access to the proper care or treatment.”  “They are so innocent and had no choice of the disease they acquired.”

 

Liz Hoffman is a senior intercultural studies major who aspires to one day moving to India and fighting for justice. She described the movie as a call to action. She said, “It was impactful for me because orphans with AIDS are a forgotten injustice. This film opened up my eyes about pouring love into little kids as another way to show God’s love. I already have a passion for India and this film affirmed my decision in going to help.”