Support Groups for HIV Positive Women and Children
by Lydia Sorflaten, Volunteer from Canada
Several years ago a project was undertaken in Kumbo to identify HIV AIDS positive person, have testing done, antiretroviral drugs made available and support groups set up. There are now three groups with over 200 people actively participating. As well, a microcredit loan program is very active in Kumbo. The program has addressed the stigmatization surrounding HIV AIDS has helped many people.
We met the Chairperson, Yuri (Evelyn) 15 months ago. She had travelled to Bana to witness to our seminar group. Oussemaotu had recognized that the village of Bana had numbers of HIV positive people were were not addressing the problem. Evelyn told her life story to the group. Her coming forward in her community of Kumbo to break the stigmatization surrounding HIV AIDS has helped many people.
On Monday, March 10, 2014 we attended a lively meeting set so the invited children could come directly from school. Each person in the room introduced themselves, children included. Microcredit entrepreneurs proudly named their businesses: farmers (pig, sheep, corn, beans, poultry), small store operators (fruits, vegetables, beans), a dressmaker, a restaurant operator, a person selling ground nut pudding, sandwiches and bread from a mobile cart and a person operating a sewing/knitting business.
Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) gives training on business management, How to keep records to determine if there is a gain or loss. IDF workers conduct home visits, help the person live positively, to build up their system, do hospital follow up, counsel to take medication at the same time every day. The importance of early testing was emphasized so treatment can begin right away. The cost of an HIV test has been reduced from 20000 to 17000 (very expensive for Cameroonians –$40 reduced to $34.00 Canadian!)
Three support groups have been formed to help each other. Children come together to share experiences, to talk about respecting the health regiment, to encourage doing well at school. (These TALK groups are very important. Many children have committed suicide after being told they are HIV positive. Some have dropped out of school because they are stigmatized.)
The District Delegate, known as Uncle George, spoke from experience. He said of the six that lived in his house, four had been taken by HIV AIDS. He said they could not accept the situation and were not careful to take care of themselves. He said if you are an able person today, you may be disabled tomorrow. It is important to accept life and go ahead. He told us that many funders have poured a lot of money into the country and the masses could not handle it; that we are here because we love humanity. Many people have much but don’t know how to reach those who need it. After the delegate spoke, the group sang a lively song about HIV AIDS.
They had a poster welcoming us that came in very handy for Lydia to give them a summary of a well balanced eating pattern. Allan gave a short talk on Conservation Farming and the importance of Cover Crops to give back to the soil.
A meal to feed the multitude was placed on the table. Rice, beans, huckleberry with agousi (pumpkin seeds shelled and the inner part ground to make agousi) and bananas. The meal was delicious.
This program is world class. As Allan said, they are each champions. Many times throughout the meeting, the need for strict adherence to taking the medication everyday at the same time every day was emphasized. AIDS is not a death sentence but it requires a disciplined approach to each aspect of living.