South DeKalb residents can get a bird’s-eye view regarding the international AIDS pandemic’s effect on children in developing countries through a touring interactive exhibit at Greenforest Baptist Church March 1-8.

The “World Vision Experience: AIDS” exhibit is expected to engage the community on how AIDS is devastating parts of Africa during its weeklong stint at the Decatur church. Participation is free and and it will open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Each year more than 2.5 million people are infected with HIV and about 33 million people globally are living with HIV or AIDS. Children are most affected by HIV/AIDS and by 2010, the number of children orphaned by AIDS will be more than 20 million. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 10 million children have lost both parents.

The Rev. Dennis Mitchell, Greenforest’s senior pastor, said visitors will get to see, hear and experience the lives of children whose worlds have been devastated by HIV/AIDS.

“Our congregation is excited to host the exhibit and invite the local community to come join us as we do our part to make a difference in the lives of those most affected by this disease – our children,” Mitchell said.

The 2,340-square-foot exhibit will walk visitors through a replica of an African village while they listen on headsets to the story of four real children whose lives have been affected by AIDS.

World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization, helps children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Its AIDS exhibit visited 75 cities in 2007 and 2008. It is slated to visit 40 more cities in 2009.

Richard E. Stearns, World Vision U.S. president and CEO, said the exhibit was created to enable people to “step into Africa” and learn more about effects of the greatest humanitarian disaster of our time and how they can help.

“No one can do everything, but each of us can to something to help turn the tide against AIDS,” he said.

For more information, visit www.worldvisionexperience.org. Greenforest Baptist Church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call Lorraine Johnson at 678-938-5482.