“My husband passed on in 2009. He was HIV positive but never disclosed that to me. After his death I found a letter he had written confessing that he became aware of his HIV-positive status in 2006 and had been on medication all along until the time of his death! I was confused and felt utterly betrayed by him but resolved to remain strong for the sake of my three little boys, who were aged 8, 6 and 2 at the time. In February 2010, I went to the nearest health facility, was tested and confirmed to be HIV positive too.
My journey since then begun on many varied emotions from anger to denial and deep apprehension of what the future held for me. I wanted to live and began taking medication immediately but then I was facing another hurdle. My father-in-law heard that I was HIV positive and he became very hostile towards me. I was cast away from my marital home and given a piece of land to go and live away from the rest of the family. This was a big challenge for me as I had been a housewife with no reliable income. However, I did not despair. I did odd jobs to fend for my children and even managed to build a single roomed grass thatched house. Our new house was congested; we all slept in the same room, stored our items and in the rainy season cooked using fire wood inside. I knew this was unhealthy but I had no choice. Due to this my children were constantly infected with jiggers though I tried my best to clean, disinfect the house and even treat them. One of the community health workers introduced me to North Gem HIV project and I was registered as a beneficiary.
Whenever I develop opportunistic infections the project assists me through provision of medicine. They have trained me on adherence to my ARV therapy and how to live positively and I’m very happy. In 2012, the project staff visited me at home and saw the conditions we were living in. They then built us a two roomed permanent house. It took me a while to believe, because I never thought I would live in such a house! To date this is a miracle and I thank God for the project.
I take care good care of my house, since to me it is like a Palace! I work very hard in my farm and in other people’s farms so that I’m able to earn extra money to fend for my children .The boys are no longer infested with jiggers and am truly grateful to all who invest their money and time to this project. I can only ask God to bless you!
I am Selina Akoth Ogada and I am living positively each day