Jul
21

2010
By

Alex

Category: 2010 Leave a Comment

As I was walking down the road,
I remembered the ratio 1:4.
This weakened me for
Thought of consideration ran through my head.
Had the people considered the consequences of what they had been doing before they had done it.
I was born in a world where
There was no love, care and everyone did not stand the sight of me
The stigma attached to me
Is like a rock tied to a drowning childI felt lonely, unloved and thought that I was going to die
Alas! my life changed again
It was like going back into my mothers womb and being born again
Zvandiri support group showed me the light that I was lacking
Its members showed me love, the care
And support that I wanted.
I am better off than one who does not know his status
I now know that my status cannot disturb me to achieve my goals.
I have a life

Alex

Jul
13

2010
By

MABELREIGN SUPPORT GROUP “Warriors for Life”

Category: 2010 Leave a Comment

Mabelreign Support Group is amongst one of the community-based groups organised and funded by Africaid. The membership of the Support Group is for children from the ages of four to teenagers who know their status. Inspiration and upliftment through constructive discussions, games, lessons and above all seeing each other are the aims.

During the Support Group we have open discussions chaired by the sisters and aunts about real-life situations such as antiretroviral drugs, faith and adherence. We also conduct some plays and games to instil and reinforce discussions and lessons taught. The groups also give us a sense of belonging as we share individual testimonies of our miraculous survival from life threatening disease.

However during the group sessions we have had our full cup of sorrows. The death of one of our members who passed away in May 2009, departure of other members to other towns and cities, scorned at my passers by when we were using an open centre at a local clinic, life challengers amongst members causing membership to dwindle, and lacking a proper housing facility.

Currently the membership of Mabelreign Support Group stands at eight, meeting at Alfred Bait Primary School chaired by Melani. The group is finding great difficulty in increasing numbers of members due to the community being closed up and also lack of ways to publicise the programme to the local people. It would actually be more advisable to work with various hospitals, clinics and medical institutions to show and advise their patients so that they can be inspired and uplifted through seeing other children and teenagers in their situation.

Martin