UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

November 7, 2007

Sara's Story

I am deeply saddened by the living conditions of children and young people who are both infected and affected by HIV. Listen to 12 year-old Sara’s story: “What do you want me to tell you? My life…..Well…..My parents died of AIDS my uncle told me. I live with my uncle but his wife does not care about me. When people see me passing by, they say ‘oh, that’s the child of so and so’ (they say the names of my parents). AIDS is a very bad disease! I hate it! I have a lot of sorrow in my heart. I only wish I could be with my mother and my father and that they would love me, care for me, and send me to school. So now, I just cry when I think about that. My uncle loves me but he does not stay with us, he works far from home and comes back home once every three months. Who will wipe my tears……?” And Sara cries….

Sara lives in the West Province and is one of many children orphaned by AIDS in Rwanda. Her uncle goes to areas where he can find agriculture work which does not pay much but enables him to feed his entire family. Sara has had a difficult life. When her parents died, she used to stay with different families; whoever would take her. She hasn’t yet gone for an HIV test and she still has psychological problems coping with her status of being orphaned. The expressions on her face reflect a strong need for affection and care.  I asked her if she could sing something for me or with me and she said yes. I taught her a little song and she could sing with me. When I left her, at least we could talk without tears on her face like in the beginning of our talk. Let’s not allow the sorrow from AIDS take over our children. Let’s listen to their call and their cry. They need your compassion and support, please join me in this great work for the well being of the children. 

AIDS has contributed to a high increase in the number of orphans in Rwanda (1.2 million). AIDS is the second cause of death here. When parents die of AIDS, it affects children and young people’s lives. 62% of the Rwandan population lives below the poverty line, and the majority of the population is very young: 52% is under 18. As in most developing countries, one of the forces that drive the AIDS epidemic and increase children’s vulnerability is poverty. The lack of information on HIV and AIDS here and the social economic status are key issues to address in the fight against AIDS.

If community members are empowered they can play a major role in helping those children and young people infected and affected by AIDS. When I visit AIDS orphans, one of the most frightening things to see is the conditions in which they live. In addition to the lack of parental care, they also cannot afford basic needs such as food; clothing, health care and housing. School material costs are also very hard to afford and children don’t get the psychosocial support they need. When they cannot go to school, they find themselves in the streets and are abused, exploited and also exposed to HIV.  When an orphan is found to be HIV-positive, a lot of problems arise, including discrimination due to misconceptions around HIV and AIDS.

However, voluntarily testing and counseling is among the activities that UNICEF implements to help people, especially young people. In my daily work, I face very shocking times when I meet children and young people who come for their first test and the results reveal that they are HIV-positive. It is not easy and it takes time to convince that young person that life will continue! Children and adolescents live through very dark times of their lives when they are found HIV-positive. Some people believe that it is useless to care or invest in a person who can die at any time. You can imagine how scared a young person is during that difficult time! You can help to stop AIDS and prevent such situations. 

In October, I attended a UNICEF-supported voluntarily testing and counseling project that was organized and conducted in the West province where 1000 children, young people and some adults came for an HIV test. The results were delivered 20 minutes after the test. Before the test, people were counseled and prepared. A total of 817 people were tested and 40 of them were found HIV-positive. Among the 40, some were boys and girls between the ages of 17 and 19. Throughout the day, there were sensitization activities on HIV and AIDS through sports, cultural activities, and plays. Heavy emotions and mixed feelings were in the air when the test results were delivered. Let us work together! Your support can contribute to save the lives of many children who are not able to reach their adulthood due to AIDS. The survival of children depends on the survival of parents and you can help save a mother’s life, and that, can save many children’s lives.