Stories

GCINA  (written Oct 2010)

Gcina is 18 and in grade 12, at a local High School. He lost both his parents during 2010. His father died at the beginning of the year and his mother four months later. He was heart -broken and devastated.  He was thinking about leaving school when one of the peer educators recognized his need for help and began talking to him. During their strat chats the peer educator was able to support Gcina, walk with him during this difficult period and help him cope with his grief. After many conversations Gcina, decided that he will continue with school because education was important and he had to play the lead role at home because he had no parents.

The role of the peer educator was highly appreciated. He was responsible for encouraging Gcina cope with his grief, not to leave school and to think about the role that he would have to play at home with no parents.

  

NOMAINDIA  (written in 2009)

My name is Nomaindia. I live in a tin shack informal settlement on the outskirts of PortShepstone. In this settlement we live under very difficult circumstances. There is no proper housing, no sanitation and very little basic services. Drug abuse, alcohol, teen age pregnancy and HIV/Aids are very rampant.

During 2007 I met volunteers from Project Positive Ray. They work very hard in our community teaching us about Aids. I was three months pregnant when I met the volunteers. They visited me regularly and spoke to me about HIV/Aids and VCT. I listened but, I was afraid of what they were saying.

Then I got very sick and could not do much for myself. The volunteers were very helpful. They cooked food for me, cleaned the house and provided transport for me to attend the clinic.  After several visits I agreed to be tested. When I received my results I was positive. This broke my heart and I was very concerned about my baby. The volunteers were very kind. They encouraged me and gave me lots of support. They encouraged me to go and check my CD4.

I went for my CD4 count and it was 344. I was asked to come back in 3 months time to be tested for the second time. During this time I became very sick. I thought I was going to die. My CD4 count on the second visit dropped to 174. I was taught about ARV and enrolled for medication. The medication made me very sick. For about a month I was vomiting and had running stomach but I persevered. With the help of the volunteers, family and friends I am feeling well.

Today, I am feeling strong. The medication is helping me. I have a lovely girl baby. I am able to do things for myself. I work as a domestic worker. I am back at work.

I want to thank Positive Ray for the good work they are doing helping people understand about HIV/Aids. I also want to thank them for their love and kindness. May God bless them in their work

 

CLIVE (written in 2008)

About 2 years ago Positive Ray launched its Education and Awareness program in schools. We quickly discovered that students were sexually active and their response to our program was negative. For example, in one school during 2006, 21 girls were pregnant. We persisted in spite of the negative responses. Today, the pregnancy rate has dropped to 4 in the same school.

Clive is one such student who engaged in promiscuous behaviour. He was in Grade 9 at that time. He slept around, truanted from schools and ran away from home. He was a “hopeless case”. His parents were frustrated with him and gave up hope. The schools threatened him with a letter of transfer.

We noticed that he lacked confidence and self esteem and felt that no one cared. One of our School Educators befriended him and showed interest in helping him. She spent long hours counselling him. They spoke about Career Development, Peer Education, HIV/Aids and STD’s. H e agreed to further counselling sessions.

After many sessions he realised that he was wasting his life with no future. He agreed for Voluntary Counselling and Testing. His dress code, improvement in school work, behaviour change, and regular attendance at school indicated that Clive was serious about his life. Change was becoming noticeable. His confidence levels improved.

Presently, Clive is in Grade 11. He is Captain of his class. He is doing well in his studies. He is well spoken of by his peers and he is able to help others who are experiencing similar problems.