Women Fighting HIV/AIDS (China), by Dolores Ladouceur
I work as a treatment and care advisor with a NGO called AIDS Care China (ACC). Based in Kunmin, the capital of the Yunnan Province, ACC has several programs, all devoted to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.
My most memorable experience has been participating in a “Positive Prevention Education Workshop”, which was held by the Kunming ACC Women’s Group. The focus of these workshops is to help people living with HIV accept their condition and look for ways to become healthier, while getting to know others who are in similar situations.
The principal facilitator (think of her as “Small Ma”, a common nickname here) spoke freely and convincingly to the group about her initial reaction to finding out she was HIV positive. Was she dying? How could she tell her husband? Would he leave her? What about her small daughter? Had she infected her too?? Would her family also reject her? What would her friends think? Would they abandon her too?? Would she lose her job??
I was amazed at this young woman’s open candour regarding her personal situation, and doubly impressed with the fact that her husband was in attendance to speak about his own feelings throughout the experience, as well as to show support for his wife.
The setting was comfortable and cozy, allowing most of the newly diagnosed clients in attendance to speak out about their own fears and concerns. Small Ma’s courage and conviction during this event proved to me that despite many odds, women in China are willing to fight for their cause and that of others selflessly.
Read Women Sculpting their Lives (Peru) by Melissa Nigrini
Read Women Working Together Towards a Better Future (Cameroon) by Rebecca Boyce
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