Deaconesses in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) play a foundational roll in battling the HIV\AIDS pandemic in subsaharan Africa. Deaconess Eunita (left with Pastor Karl Galik) is an example of the work of the deaconesses.She travels between 6 different congregations and has been instrumental in building a partnership between the ELCK and the Kenyan government to create communities of people who are infected with the HIV virus. 

It is common for people to be "shunned" like lepers were in the New Testament. The ELCK has helped these communities organize for Christ centered support, medical and emotional support, and support to be self sufficient. Below you will see how they raise vegetables, chickens, and tilapia (fish) to eat and sell in the market.