Telling my story to encourage a person infected or affected and educating them about the issues around living with HIV
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
I have particularly worked with the students of the UFS in helping them to transition from knowing their status in a far away place, away from home and also assisting in having the courage to go back home and relive their story to relay to their loved ones and the painful journey of disclosing their status. My husband also assisted me in a tremendous manner as he accepted, loved, cherished and eventually marrying me even after know my status. he has been a pillar of strength in my acceptance journey and he is a hero in my eyes.
The challenges
Stigma and Discrimination. The world not educated enough about the truths of HIV and only relying on the myths.
Addressing the challenges
Yes, it has impacted people to have self-acceptance and embrace their status. A lot still needs to be done. I wish to have general dialogues on a regular basis without the fear of being victimized. People should be of the notion that HIV does not kill and the more knowledge they are fed, the more more comfortable they will be in talking about it and also relaying the information to the unreachable.
The achievements
Knowledge about acceptance and love. Accepting their loved ones' statuses and embracing and loving them irregardless. Showing support in the journey of Self-acceptance and embrace. Knowledge equipping stories and victory testimonies. I believe together we are more and as the famous saying in South Africa "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu"...Togetherness
Johannesburg, South Africa