When people have the opportunity to meet regularly with their support groups, they can move out of the fear and isolation of stigma toward community and meaningful connection, where they find healing and hope for the future. Meet some of the support group members who have done just that…
Esther Nanok
Esther Nanok is a widow, a mother of three school-age children, and an HIV crusader in her community. After living with HIV for more than 10 years, Esther says, “It has not been easy for me, but the grace of God has kept me and my family moving.”
When she first tested positive for HIV, there were many misconceptions about HIV and Esther didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. She says she was ashamed to share her status for fear of embarrassment.
However, not long after, a friend invited her to a support group, where people were being educated about HIV issues, praying together, and sharing their experiences. Esther was so encouraged by what she found in the support group that she has been a member ever since.
The support group has empowered and reinvigorated Esther, and has even made it possible for her to build a new home for herself and her family!
“Life can be challenging sometimes. We are pushed to the ground, but God has made us in a way that we can withstand those incredibly difficult and challenging moments. We only need to keep fighting the hardship and make one step after another!”
In addition to education and emotional support, Esther’s support group also incorporated savings and loan activities. Members make weekly contributions to a savings account and are then able to borrow loans to meet their pressing needs. As a result, Esther was able to borrow money last year to construct a house using local materials. She and her children now have a nice, well-ventilated home!
Esther’s story is an encouragement to many women in the community who feel lonely due to their HIV status – and Esther is committed to using her story to link more people to support groups.
“I spoke about it and this strengthened me!”
Kagore ali
Kagore Ali is mother to three girls and two boys (all HIV-negative). She had just given birth to her youngest child when she learned that she and her husband are HIV-positive. Soon after she began receiving HIV treatment, she also joined a support group that met at the clinic each week. Kagore says that in the support group, people could share openly about their status, the experience of living with HIV and the challenges they were facing. Group members also had the opportunity to learn about important HIV-related topics from the medical team at the clinic.
The group at the clinic grew to be so large that it eventually split into smaller groups that could meet in local villages. Since 2016, Kagore has had the opportunity to lead her own support group of 24 members. She is now recognized as an expert client! That means that when people learn they are HIV-positive, they are referred to Kagore so she can encourage them and link them to a support group in their village.
“I realized silence can kill.”
While she was initially scared to learn of her status, Kagore says she has been able to move on thanks to good adherence and support from her husband and support group. She says, “I always stay positive and try to speak out stress and other things that can make my situation worse. I also speak on behalf of my group members and this is very important to me because I realized silence can kill. That’s how I have managed to live all these years.”
“We agreed that being HIV-positive was not the end of life and if anyone had gone through some stigma, we encouraged them to know that we are all the same... we let them know that they are not alone.”
Naomi nyawira
Naomi shares her experience with one of the local support groups, Living Hope Psychosocial Support Group. After talking with others at the medical clinic, they realized there was a need to connect more and formed a group where they could share freely with one another.
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