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HIV/AIDS: Triumph from Tragedy

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Jane found out that she was HIV positive in 2004.

For two years she withdrew into a depression. She stopped associating with extended family, friends and her church. She feared the stigma that Kenyan culture had placed on those who were HIV positive.

“I was worried about what people would say because they knew I was a Christian,” Jane says. “I asked myself many questions. Why me? Why would God allow this happen to me?”

As Jane began to come to terms with her HIV status, she realized the importance of having external support. She ended up at a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) center supported by Samaritan’s Purse. There she found a support group, who counselled and encouraged her and helped her to realize how important it is for the people of her community to be educated on HIV/AIDS.

“Throught the support group, I have learnt many things,” Jane says. “Initially, I could not stand before people, but now, I not only stand before them, but I tell them about my HIV positive status.”

VCT centers, such as this one operated by a local Kenyan church, offer free testing and counselling services, along with medical referrals to those who test positive. Workers from the centers often go out into the community to encourage people to be tested, to educate people about the transmission methods of HIV/AIDS and to help break down the negative stereotypes that many Kenyans hold toward HIV positive people.

Jane now works as a volunteer community mobilizer during outreach activities at the center. She is determined to fight stigma and discrimination from the community which result from ignorance. She also has the goal of helping people in her community to find out their HIV status.

“It is good for all people to know their HIV status,” says Jane. “This will help those who are infected avoid infecting others.”

Ways You Can Help
Pray Please pray that God will bring physical and spiritual support to those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.		Give Partner with Samaritan’s Purse to support HIV/AIDS projects around the world. Donate Here.