Encounters with HIV/AIDS

HIV is one of those things I’ve read about and seen on the news, but haven’t put a face to. After today, that’s no longer true. While the debate rages on whether Africa should receive money for treatment (high cost, save a few lives) or prevention (low cost, save many future lives), actually meeting AIDS victims makes it all very real.

Jemima is one of the first people in the area to publicly announce her positive status, reducing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. These days, more people talk about AIDS openly through euphemisms like “He’s positive” or “I know my status.” Jemima now runs a women’s group of positive widows who have not been taken in by their husbands’ relatives, as tradition generally requires. The women engage in various farming and other income-generating activities. They appear extremely content with their lives and are thankful for the support and livelihood provided by the group. They are a testament to the power of living with a positive outlook.

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