Tears

My job as a volunteer here, working with the HIV and AIDS stakeholders in Mazabuka, means that I know about the facts and figures behind this epidemic, I understand the drivers behind why this is such a difficult fight and regularly see the hard work and commitment by the various organisations to halt the spread of this disease. The stories of people of all ages and of all walks of life affected by HIV and AIDS are endless, yet I have had little personal attachment to them, however sad and tragic they might be.

This all changed when Stella, our cleaner, courageously opened up to Andrew and myself about how she was HIV positive; something that you would not obviously realise given how she carries herself on a daily basis. Stella, therefore, did not do speak to us as a request for sympathy or for financial gain but because she had to face the terrifying prospect of taking her three year old daughter along to also be tested. Her daughter had developed a cough and cold – flu like symptoms – which had failed to go away. And rather than ignore the situation, or even seek remedies from the local ‘witchdoctor’ which is still fairly common in parts of Zambia (and as a result delays testing and treatment); she bravely took her daughter to our local hospital. If I am being honest, I probably would not be writing this blog entry if there had been good news to report – Stella’s worst fears became reality and her daughter tested positive for HIV. Again she did not hide away and fighting away the tears and overcoming her trembling voice she told us what had happened.

The next part of the story remains uncertain. At the end of the month both Stella and her daughter will find out their CD4 cell count – a test to count the number of CD4 cells which are the infection fighting blood cells that are attacked and killed by the HIV virus. The results of these tests will determine what actions and treatments are needed. In the meantime, whether it is information, referrals, counselling or financial support we are trying to help her family in the best way possible.