Formerly an IDU and a regular alcoholic. Mr. Erothe tested positive in 2009, Recalling his first World AIDS Day in the year 2009 he remembers how his bold step encouraged by KpNP+ stood in a crowd to share his life before and after infection which he never stood up in such a crowded place in his lifetime. Today he heads the PLHIVs of Kiphire District as President of KpNP+. He states that; "Denial lasted for over a year. I wasn't ready to start thinking about dying so I just ignored the whole thing. It wasn't until I started visiting KpNP+ where I started thinking about trying to fight this thing inside me. Being hospitalised having no hope to survive. i was admitted to NMA hospice and started ART. So many things were rushing through my mind, but the one thing i kept thinking was that i was going to die. In fact it was a life challenging for how i could successfully give up drugs and alcohol and move forward for a positive life."Although I have had other health challenges since, I treat each problem individually and live a full life with my wife and family. He wish to thank and acknowledge the NMA Hospice, NNP+, NSACS, DPO/DAPCU, Churches at Kiphire Town, Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society and CMO Kiphire for the encouragement, concern and support towards shaping his life and other PLHIV friends.
Ms. N (Name Change) a young widow on ART recalls the day when she first participated at the World AIDS Day in 2006. That was the year when she was detected positive along with her husband and her child. She says, how good it would be; if such facilities of todays were found in those days where an only testing facility was available. The World AIDS Day is indeed a day for me to remember how together with my late husband (Died after few months) voluntarily joined to the formation of KpNP+ in the month of December 2006 and also the pioneers of the Network. Today i live in my native village manning a large cultivated land along with my old mother and sister. Agriculture is the main stay of economy of my family. When asked about her family income, she proudly says, life doesn’t matter being who iam but i know for sure that as human being I also can do what others can; provided I live positively. Most of her income comes from the Kholar (Beans), oranges and groundnut which are sold during the season. She also acknowledged the NMA Hospice, KpNP+ and the NNP+ who have rendered much like a family in their time of needs and guidance outside the home and also the volunteers of Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society for various encouragement on livelihood; besides she also remembers the efforts of individuals like Yangtsapila, Lithsa, athrongba, Hokishe, Naomi and many others who have been with her.
Mr. Tia, a healthy young married man was one day hospitalised with no hope from family members that he would be a changed man someday. He was rejected by his family because he was an IDU and was affecting the economy of his family. One cloudy morning in 2006, he was detected positive all to find tears in his eyes recalling how he had lived his life. The World AIDS Day is still remembered as it was the day when i disclosed myself and shared as Positive Speaker without fear of stigma and Discrimination with the initiative of KpNP+. When I tested HIV positive 6 years ago, the road map for how to die with this condition seemed clear. Creating my own path has been challenging and rewarding. HIV has been a catalyst for personal growth, an inspiration to make changes I needed to make anyway my life is richer as a result. "Although I deal with fear all the time, I never really internalized the HIV/AIDS dogma. I instinctively believed that HIV was a cofactor and that I could manage my health successfully. I pursue an aggressive health management program that includes nutrition and supplementation, exercise and appropriate rest. Today he is an active member of a Church and involved in various social activities. He was also the former President of KpNP+ and presently the Joint Secretary of NNP+. His service for the PLHIVs still continues and also runs a small business shop for the livelihood of his family. He wishes to acknowledge NMA Hospice, ICTC Kiphire, NNP+, NSACS, and ENSSS for the support and encouragement rendered towards him.
The World AIDS Day 2011 observation with the theme – Getting to Zero; in achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS - related deaths” is over and now what next? What strategy are we in the process?
Having nine trained members of Positive Speakers Bureau and registered members from all over the district, the KpNP+ has been pushing and intensifying their efforts in the fight against the epidemic, though Fear of Stigma and Discrimination continue still to be the twin handicaps to all the work being done to halt the spread of HIV. The immense burden of stigma, and the resulting secrecy, shame and anxiety, will continue to block efforts to encourage people to be tested, disclose their status, prevent transmission of the virus, and access treatment.
“HIV/AIDS affects mind and soul. Some patients, they thought this was the end of their life. But having people encouraging them... it has made them start thinking of their children, start thinking of their dreams ...”
When the family and community around an individual are supportive, understanding and caring, people are more likely to protect themselves and others from transmission of HIV. They are more likely to access and adhere to ARV treatment. They are more likely to choose to disclose their status.
The fight against the epidemic needs to build up efforts to change the social environment that people live in along with other activities. Having understood and realised that Community involvement from grass root to the top level is much anticipated, the recent advocacy initiatives taken up by Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society (ENSSS) and Network for Kiphire District People Living with HIV/AIDS (KpNP+) are one thing that produces realization and the process to achieving getting to zero. The 22/11: Intensifying efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS (which is a community based declaration in support to the cause initiated by ENSSS) is expected to bring a great change at the community level and the PLHIVs which focuses on the sustainable livelihood and IGP. The members of the KpNP+ have also acknowledged the initiatives and the coordination of the Joint Efforts of both the community based organisations for the welfare of the PLHIVs of Kiphire District.
We can work with communities and families to transform their attitudes to HIV. We can empower women to protect themselves from contracting the virus, and to prevent transmission to their children. We can help individuals become more confident and make positive choices about their health, and the health of those around them, and so live with hope and dignity.
Ms. N (Name Change) a young widow on ART recalls the day when she first participated at the World AIDS Day in 2006. That was the year when she was detected positive along with her husband and her child. She says, how good it would be; if such facilities of todays were found in those days where an only testing facility was available. The World AIDS Day is indeed a day for me to remember how together with my late husband (Died after few months) voluntarily joined to the formation of KpNP+ in the month of December 2006 and also the pioneers of the Network. Today i live in my native village manning a large cultivated land along with my old mother and sister. Agriculture is the main stay of economy of my family. When asked about her family income, she proudly says, life doesn’t matter being who iam but i know for sure that as human being I also can do what others can; provided I live positively. Most of her income comes from the Kholar (Beans), oranges and groundnut which are sold during the season. She also acknowledged the NMA Hospice, KpNP+ and the NNP+ who have rendered much like a family in their time of needs and guidance outside the home and also the volunteers of Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society for various encouragement on livelihood; besides she also remembers the efforts of individuals like Yangtsapila, Lithsa, athrongba, Hokishe, Naomi and many others who have been with her.
Mr. Tia, a healthy young married man was one day hospitalised with no hope from family members that he would be a changed man someday. He was rejected by his family because he was an IDU and was affecting the economy of his family. One cloudy morning in 2006, he was detected positive all to find tears in his eyes recalling how he had lived his life. The World AIDS Day is still remembered as it was the day when i disclosed myself and shared as Positive Speaker without fear of stigma and Discrimination with the initiative of KpNP+. When I tested HIV positive 6 years ago, the road map for how to die with this condition seemed clear. Creating my own path has been challenging and rewarding. HIV has been a catalyst for personal growth, an inspiration to make changes I needed to make anyway my life is richer as a result. "Although I deal with fear all the time, I never really internalized the HIV/AIDS dogma. I instinctively believed that HIV was a cofactor and that I could manage my health successfully. I pursue an aggressive health management program that includes nutrition and supplementation, exercise and appropriate rest. Today he is an active member of a Church and involved in various social activities. He was also the former President of KpNP+ and presently the Joint Secretary of NNP+. His service for the PLHIVs still continues and also runs a small business shop for the livelihood of his family. He wishes to acknowledge NMA Hospice, ICTC Kiphire, NNP+, NSACS, and ENSSS for the support and encouragement rendered towards him.
The World AIDS Day 2011 observation with the theme – Getting to Zero; in achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS - related deaths” is over and now what next? What strategy are we in the process?
Having nine trained members of Positive Speakers Bureau and registered members from all over the district, the KpNP+ has been pushing and intensifying their efforts in the fight against the epidemic, though Fear of Stigma and Discrimination continue still to be the twin handicaps to all the work being done to halt the spread of HIV. The immense burden of stigma, and the resulting secrecy, shame and anxiety, will continue to block efforts to encourage people to be tested, disclose their status, prevent transmission of the virus, and access treatment.
“HIV/AIDS affects mind and soul. Some patients, they thought this was the end of their life. But having people encouraging them... it has made them start thinking of their children, start thinking of their dreams ...”
When the family and community around an individual are supportive, understanding and caring, people are more likely to protect themselves and others from transmission of HIV. They are more likely to access and adhere to ARV treatment. They are more likely to choose to disclose their status.
The fight against the epidemic needs to build up efforts to change the social environment that people live in along with other activities. Having understood and realised that Community involvement from grass root to the top level is much anticipated, the recent advocacy initiatives taken up by Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society (ENSSS) and Network for Kiphire District People Living with HIV/AIDS (KpNP+) are one thing that produces realization and the process to achieving getting to zero. The 22/11: Intensifying efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS (which is a community based declaration in support to the cause initiated by ENSSS) is expected to bring a great change at the community level and the PLHIVs which focuses on the sustainable livelihood and IGP. The members of the KpNP+ have also acknowledged the initiatives and the coordination of the Joint Efforts of both the community based organisations for the welfare of the PLHIVs of Kiphire District.
We can work with communities and families to transform their attitudes to HIV. We can empower women to protect themselves from contracting the virus, and to prevent transmission to their children. We can help individuals become more confident and make positive choices about their health, and the health of those around them, and so live with hope and dignity.
(Lithsa)
Kiphire : Nagaland
lithsa@rediffmail.com
