ETHIOPIA: I knew the risk I was taking, but my family had to eat

By, IRIN PlusNews, April 16, 2007

ADDIS ABABA, 16 April (PLUSNEWS) - By day, Aster Beyene [not her real name], 21, is a saleslady at a boutique in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa; by night she attends computer school. After losing her mother and older brother to AIDS-related illnesses, Beyene has been left with the responsibility of feeding and clothing her remaining siblings.

"Even though I am the last born, I have experienced the struggle for survival first hand, and I vowed to rescue my family from the pit of poverty that seemed to get worse as the days went by.

A middle-aged guy who lived next door had always had his eye on me, but I never considered going out with him before the problems at home. I pushed all the frightening thoughts aside and opted to have a relationship with him; in return, he offered to give me money, including my tuition for night school.

Despite repeated warnings from people in my community that he was infected with the HI virus, I continued having sexual relations with him without protection. I was aware of what was at stake, but my family relied on me to provide for them and I felt I had no other option.

I recently found out that I am HIV positive, but what still worries me most is what I will put on the table for my family. My mother passed away last month and there are still five mouths to feed; two of my brothers are also living with HIV. There is no time to lament my lost childhood or the future I might never be able to witness.

To this day I have a sexual relationship with the man who infected me with the virus. I am also aware that he has another woman in his life.

rm/kr/he[ENDS]

Relaxed about her status

By, Gontse Gareebine, The Voice (Francistown), April 10, 2007

Botswana: Martha Tsebentlha Baloi is a 49 year-old resident of Sekobowane ward in Rasesa village. She is a single mother of three. Nothing odd about that. But then Baloi is a brave woman, ready and willing to speak openly about her HIV status in a country still faced with issues of stigmatisation.

"I learnt of my positive status last year November when I was admitted at Princess Marina Hospital with heart problems. The doctors attending to me must have seen something was out of place when they suggested I have an HIV test," said Baloi, speaking in a relaxed manner.

She explained how she lost a daughter to what was an AIDS-related illness five years ago.

"I didn't know much about HIV/AIDS then as I do now. I did not use gloves or any other protection whilst caring for my daughter. I suspect that is how I got the virus because I haven't been sexually active for a long time now," she said.

Then, Baloi thought AIDS was a disease caused either by high blood pressure, tuberculosis or pneumonia. Baloi who has fully accepted her HIV positive status has emphasised that HIV/AIDS is no different from any other disease. She understands that she does not have AIDS but the HI virus that can eventually cause AIDS. Having started Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment in December last year with a CD count below 200, Baloi says she cannot complain, as she feels more energetic than ever before. Her three children, she says, have been very supportive.

She has concerns though. The monthly trips that she takes to Gaborone for collection or refills of her medication worry her.

"I have asked to be transferred to the Mochudi clinic since last year as it is the nearest village to Rasesa that distributes ARV treatment. This has not happened due to reasons unknown to me. The transfer will be more sensible as it will definitely cut down transport costs that I struggle to meet. I am not a rich woman and worry about my nutrition too. I am still to register with the government to at least supply me with a food ration. It's been difficult," she said.

Baloi informed the Voice that gossipmongers are the least of her worries concerning the disclosure of her status in public.

"You never know who will be next so my advice is for people to stop wasting time talking about other people's HIV when they don't know where they stand. Go out there, get tested and know your status. The sooner the better," she quipped.

I am free to live after revealing my HIV status

By, IRIN PlusNews, April 2, 2007

Burundi - Eighteen-year-old Adeline Nzambimana is a secondary school student living in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura. She has had the HI virus since birth, and lost both her parents through AIDS in 1993.

Growing up in her aunt's home, Adeline was only told she was infected with HIV five years ago.

"Since I was little I was always ill; coughing, infections, malaria. I don't remember a time when I was not ill. As I grew up, I started hearing about HIV, seeing people living with HIV.

My aunt from time to time took me to ANSS (an association to support to people living with HIV/AIDS). I started asking myself questions, why was I there? When she told me, I was still in primary school. I was shocked, no, not shocked - it was like a thunder bolt.

I cried and cried, asking myself how I could stand other people's looks; I imagined that everyone knew about my status. At that time, it was very hard to accept - being HIV-positive meant death since so few could afford the price of drugs.

I continued to attend school but it was as if I was not there. Nothing was of interest. At the end of primary school, I spent a whole year without attending school; I was too ill to study. My friends came to see me but I could not tell them, I feared their reaction.

When I started secondary school, things got worse. For the first time, I faced stigmatisation. Pupils were whispering behind my back: "Adeline is positive." I felt hurt deep inside and I stayed alone, afraid of talking to others. I even considered abandoning school. I could not figure out staying there and continuing when the whole school knew. As I was regularly absent, some teachers did not stand it either.

Then one day, I saw other HIV-positive children in a television programme. They were giving their testimonies, about how they are living with the virus. Like me, they had problems. Some were even stigmatised in their own families - which is not the case for me - but they chose to live positively.

From that time, I saw I was not alone and could live like them. I decided to join their association, le R้seau des Jeunes Vivant avec le VIH (the network of youths living with HIV). I first started publicly declaring my status during testimonies at school or at the local youth centre. No more reason to whisper it as a secret, everybody knew. I felt relieved of a heavy burden. Some people believed I was foolish, but little by little, they approved of my choice.

Coming out in the open with my status completely changed my life. I no longer live in fear and my friend's attitudes towards me have also changed; they even come to ask me for advice.

Since I started taking ARVs [life-prolonging antiretroviral therapy] in 2002, my health has improved - I spend months without falling sick.

jb/kr/kn