“He told me that he tested positive, I thought it was a joke and laughed!”

We back with sister, Mavis Tom and spoke about one of the topics people are still scare to talk about. Community will rather gossip about someones’ health status instead of going to check up their status at the nearest clinics. The main purpose of this article is to inspire and motivate our nation to stick together, have strength and be ready to embrace live cause it is precious.

“Always good to share my story with Risers. Like anyone, I never thought I will  be HIV positive until a close partner went for test late in 2003 and suggested that I must also go for testing. I was shocked and feared for my life cause by that time it was a stigma, I thought I was gonna die”, she said.

People do not want to do anything with you, they think you are cursed and get HIV by just talking or looking at you. Partners blame each other after testing HIV positive and may lead to divorce or GBV. “ Luckily , I am a God - fearing woman, I said God please do not take me, I want to help others then I did not cry. I was always at home, did not blame my partner but deep down I told myself its him”, she added.

The difficult part is how to accept you situation, face community and tell your family, mostly your kids. Kids face challenges of being bullied and can end up dropping out of school. Relatives now stay as far as possible from you and tell their kids to not come close to yours. Community still feel like you are cursed.

“Before seeking for a support, you must get counselling,  accept your situation and be ready to take a medication. I have been living with HIV for 21 years now and am still going strong. Its your life, never be ashamed, do not listen to negative people, pray, its not the end of the world. People were dying because of HIV in the early 2000’s and I told myself that am going to the clinic for myself, not for someone”, concluded Mavis.

Her road was not easy, she remembers volunteering  as an admin clerk at the hospital and co workers judging her about the medication she is taking. Her advice to people out there is to stop gossiping and test themselves. People still believe you get HIV because of sleeping around or you are cheap. HIV exist and you must take care of yourself,check your status and stick to one partner.

We hope our Risers are inspired by Sister Mavi’s story, always remember we are in this world to live for ourselves.