Changed lives: Faith

Strengthening young lives after HIV disclosure

Across sub-Saharan Africa, 2.47 million children and adolescents are living with HIV. Many were born with the virus. Choosing when to disclose this to their children is a difficult choice for parents and caregivers.

Many choose not to.

Inevitably, the truth comes out, often during puberty or the cusp of adulthood when the building blocks for independence and future prospects are being placed.

Helping these children to navigate the emotional and physical issues that disclosure of their HIV status brings; keep them adhering to treatment and; prepare them to care for themselves, is not only the key to healthier, happier lives for themselves but also reduces the chance they will pass their infection on to others.

“It was not easy for me to accept my status.”

During a routine clinic visit to Chazanga Health Post in Lusaka, Zambia, Faith was asked by a nurse if she knew the purpose of the pills she was taking. That moment changed her life forever.

Receiving the news at the age of 17 was overwhelming. Faith struggled to accept her status and felt confused, betrayed, and hopeless.

She stopped taking her pills.

“My body was weak and I developed rashes.”

Her health, confidence and future prospects were all constrained just at the point when she should be learning to live independently.

This is precisely where, and when, locally led, community-rooted solutions can deliver the greatest returns.

Enter Egmont Partner Kabangwe Creative Initiative Association.

Kabangwe has partnered with four health facilities across Lusaka to help girls and young women like Faith manage their health and address the challenges they face.

Faith joined a ‘Thinking Healthy’ support group run by Dorica, one of 15 volunteers trained in mental health support by Kabangwe.

Faith is one of 273 girls and young women enrolled in these support groups.

“The savings group has helped transform my life.”

Using her savings, and a small capital injection from Kabangwe, Faith opened a drinks stall. Previously with no regular income, today Faith earns an average of $132 a month, with steady growth. At $4.40 per day, this is $1.40 (47%) above the international poverty line of $3 per day.

Faith plans to use her access to micro-credit to help her business expand into selling mobile airtime credit and is saving to resit her secondary education final exams.

“Having my own income has improved my wellbeing. I can support myself and focus on my health and future.”

For Faith, the shift has been transformative. With the right support in place, she has come to terms with her HIV status, her wellbeing has improved, and her income has risen significantly — she can now more than meet her basic needs, and plan for the future with confidence.

“This project gave me hope, support, and practical tools to change my life. I hope to inspire other girls in my community to believe that change is possible.”

Her story is a clear example of what happens when support is directed to the right place, in the right way.