Voiceless speak out at SASF
The impact of HIV/AIDS has a far reaching effect than that reflected by the statistics and media. The voiceless people affected and not infected by the pandemic are most often the victims and not survivors.
No one has taken time to consider the effects the disease has had on families and communities overall, emotionally, financially and psychologically.
The following are personal stories collected from the on going Southern African Social Forum at the Garden Park.
Joyline Chimbadzo aged 41 is a mother of six. She lost her husband in 2000 and has had the burden of providing food, school fees and paying for rent since then. Soon after her husbands death she lost her sister whose children are now her dependents.
She says because of her husbands death to AIDS, she has become emotionally hardened to life and she dreads her situation even more when she thinks of how the death has affected her eldest son who has recently lost concentration and interest in improving his education or finding suitable employment.
Douglas Muzanenhama, 40 is HIV positive but has had an immense psychological strain ever since he discovered his status in 1996.
‘I don’t want to get married, I hate the idea of getting together with another person, I think it is wrong, especially considering my status,’ Muzanenhama said.
Muzanenhama is admitted that he needs consistent counseling because of how he feels.
Memory Tshalibi 24, has witnessed a community leader’s health worsen over a period of 3 years.
‘He was person who everyone especially us the youth looked up to and solicited advise from,’ Memory explained.
Through his death Memory has become more aware of the disease and just how dangerous it is. But more retrogressively, she finds herself setting a standard for every man who proposes to her to go for voluntary counseling. This had lead to men in her community shunning her.
Jabusile Shumba, 24 has a girlfriend of almost five years. He has lost two Sisters to HIV/AIDS. Ever since Jabusile has developed a habit to go for HIV testing every six months. He referred to his habit as confidence building, but the truth is that he has been traumatized and has uncontrollable fear of the illness.
If at any time I found out my girlfriend to be HIV positive I would surely leave her, because it would mean, it’s a breach of trust,’ Jabusile explained.
Josephine, who refused to give her last name is a mother of two girl children is HIV/AIDS positive. She is a working woman who has been put on Anti Retroviral drugs for the past three years.
Josephine’s children however have not responded very well to her situation, the first born ‘Brenda’ has unfortunately started illicit drugs, Heroine.
Lucy her second born is unfortunately become spiritual and involved in a cult movement which is suspected to be Satanical.
These are just about a pinch of the many cases or situations happening behind closed doors in our communities and around the world.
The psychological effect of HIV/AIDS on the affected is a subject that needs to be examined and looked over. Children and spouses are merely expected by the public to accept and deal with the situation as it comes.
Medical practioners and counselors should develop the policy of involving close family members in counseling sessions on how to cope with the disease and the mental pressure that comes with it.
HIV/AIDS experts according to the book the AIDS Reader, says that treatment of people with the disease is treatment that requires long term care, it places a burden on families and communities. PWAs attempts at parenting, at partnership, at life continuity are thwarted not only by their illness but the grief that comes with medical obligations and their effects.
There is need to realize the urgent need for fostering the attitude for including family members in counseling.
The main cause of this situation could be the lack of education about the disease. It is almost common knowledge about the contraction modes and prevention as well, but the stigma surrounding the disease and myths created by communities which are not well informed but are openly influential can be identified as one of the causes.
HIV/AIDS has been projected as a killer, words such as Deadly disease to this point have been over emphasized to the point where children and relatives only think of death once a member of the family has been diagnosed with the infection even in instances where ARVs are made available.
Language should be made friendlier to create a sustainable environment even for those not suffering from the disease but affected by it.
Pictures should not hide the reality of the impact or result of the disease but should also show a positive picture of people living with the virus but looking good and managing their lives on a positive perspective.
There should be continuous lectures and programs by concerned community based organizations, CBOs on the disease in a satirical, creative and illustrative manner in order to cut out the monotony of how HIV/AIDS information as been taught to the people again and again.
Finally relief centers should be established to look into the psychological needs of the voiceless affected millions.
The impact of HIV/AIDS has a far reaching effect than that reflected by the statistics and media. The voiceless people affected and not infected by the pandemic are most often the victims and not survivors.
No one has taken time to consider the effects the disease has had on families and communities overall, emotionally, financially and psychologically.
The following are personal stories collected from the on going Southern African Social Forum at the Garden Park.
Joyline Chimbadzo aged 41 is a mother of six. She lost her husband in 2000 and has had the burden of providing food, school fees and paying for rent since then. Soon after her husbands death she lost her sister whose children are now her dependents.
She says because of her husbands death to AIDS, she has become emotionally hardened to life and she dreads her situation even more when she thinks of how the death has affected her eldest son who has recently lost concentration and interest in improving his education or finding suitable employment.
Douglas Muzanenhama, 40 is HIV positive but has had an immense psychological strain ever since he discovered his status in 1996.
‘I don’t want to get married, I hate the idea of getting together with another person, I think it is wrong, especially considering my status,’ Muzanenhama said.
Muzanenhama is admitted that he needs consistent counseling because of how he feels.
Memory Tshalibi 24, has witnessed a community leader’s health worsen over a period of 3 years.
‘He was person who everyone especially us the youth looked up to and solicited advise from,’ Memory explained.
Through his death Memory has become more aware of the disease and just how dangerous it is. But more retrogressively, she finds herself setting a standard for every man who proposes to her to go for voluntary counseling. This had lead to men in her community shunning her.
Jabusile Shumba, 24 has a girlfriend of almost five years. He has lost two Sisters to HIV/AIDS. Ever since Jabusile has developed a habit to go for HIV testing every six months. He referred to his habit as confidence building, but the truth is that he has been traumatized and has uncontrollable fear of the illness.
If at any time I found out my girlfriend to be HIV positive I would surely leave her, because it would mean, it’s a breach of trust,’ Jabusile explained.
Josephine, who refused to give her last name is a mother of two girl children is HIV/AIDS positive. She is a working woman who has been put on Anti Retroviral drugs for the past three years.
Josephine’s children however have not responded very well to her situation, the first born ‘Brenda’ has unfortunately started illicit drugs, Heroine.
Lucy her second born is unfortunately become spiritual and involved in a cult movement which is suspected to be Satanical.
These are just about a pinch of the many cases or situations happening behind closed doors in our communities and around the world.
The psychological effect of HIV/AIDS on the affected is a subject that needs to be examined and looked over. Children and spouses are merely expected by the public to accept and deal with the situation as it comes.
Medical practioners and counselors should develop the policy of involving close family members in counseling sessions on how to cope with the disease and the mental pressure that comes with it.
HIV/AIDS experts according to the book the AIDS Reader, says that treatment of people with the disease is treatment that requires long term care, it places a burden on families and communities. PWAs attempts at parenting, at partnership, at life continuity are thwarted not only by their illness but the grief that comes with medical obligations and their effects.
There is need to realize the urgent need for fostering the attitude for including family members in counseling.
The main cause of this situation could be the lack of education about the disease. It is almost common knowledge about the contraction modes and prevention as well, but the stigma surrounding the disease and myths created by communities which are not well informed but are openly influential can be identified as one of the causes.
HIV/AIDS has been projected as a killer, words such as Deadly disease to this point have been over emphasized to the point where children and relatives only think of death once a member of the family has been diagnosed with the infection even in instances where ARVs are made available.
Language should be made friendlier to create a sustainable environment even for those not suffering from the disease but affected by it.
Pictures should not hide the reality of the impact or result of the disease but should also show a positive picture of people living with the virus but looking good and managing their lives on a positive perspective.
There should be continuous lectures and programs by concerned community based organizations, CBOs on the disease in a satirical, creative and illustrative manner in order to cut out the monotony of how HIV/AIDS information as been taught to the people again and again.
Finally relief centers should be established to look into the psychological needs of the voiceless affected millions.
posted by Olivia Phiri at 1:53 AM
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