orphans
Posted by fallenx888x on Monday, September 24, 2012
HARARE — Zimbabwe has one
of the highest HIV rates in the world, despite years of effort to slow
the spread of the virus. The pandemic - and the government’s failure to
rollout a life-prolonging anti-retroviral drug program - has left tens
of thousands of AIDS orphans. Many of these young people are working to
make a difference with their lives. These are some of the many young
people living with the HIV virus. Most of them are orphans - their
parents having succumbed to HIV-related illnesses. They meet every
Saturday afternoon in central Harare to share experiences. Among them
is a 19-year-old man we shall call Jacob. He says he contracted HIV
from his parents who have since died. He says he has been fighting the
stigma that comes with the virus since he got tested nine years ago.
“Now stigma and discrimination I can count as nothing to me. I first
accepted my status. It will never change. Acceptance was the first
medicine I took. I take medication as prescribed by doctors," stated
Jacob. "Adherence is the most important thing for us people with HIV.”
He says he gets support from fellow youths that he meets each week at
the offices of PSI - one of many global health organizations involved in
assisting Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped government help the 1.2 million
people here living with HIV and AIDS. Jacob says being an
HIV-positive orphan does not make him different from those who do not
have the virus.For more info,Please visit orphans
“Right now a bit better than those who do not know their statuses. If
you know who you are and where you are coming from you will have a
brighter future,” he said. Across town from the PSI offices is
“Zvandiri House“ - which houses Africa Aid, an organization that helps
young people with HIV. Zvandiri in the Shona language means “as I am.”
Volunteer AIDS peer counselor Loice Maturu, Harare, Zimbabwe, June,
2012. (S. Mhofu/VOA)
Related Articles -
Email this Article to a Friend!
Receive Articles like this one direct to your email box!Subscribe for
free today!If you are interested in learning more,check out