Care and Support 50 HIV+ Orphan Children in India

The Annual Buds n Colors camp for under 14 years children from HIV affected families was organised from 1st to 4th May 2019 at Salem. The Motivational Theme for the year 2019 was “Desire – Discern – Diligent”, about 45 children participated in the camp. Senior Children at Buds of Christ were involved as volunteers in the arrangements of the camp programmes, sessions and decorations.

The participants were divided into four groups with four different color names and were lead by the Senior Children (17-20 years old) who have been trained and part of Buds of Christ. Each day started with the songs and narrative stories based on the themes, followed by group games, team competitions, learning sessions and craft time.

“It was interesting to play and win for the team and did not even know, I could bat well and win runs for the team” – a HIV positive boy after winning cricket match

The children also went through sessions on confidence building and goal setting by Mr. Sam from Adventure camping.

“I was scared to walk on the rope, but kept my focus and moved forward. I was also happy that my friends were there to support me, when I needed it” – an orphan girl when crossing the rope

“I could not believe, I could walk across the rope, but I did it” – a HIV positive child on treatment

The learning sessions were on Child Abuse, Nutrition, Personal Hygiene and Environmental hygiene and Child rights which were handled through group activities and short films. Each group was given each topic to present it as a skit on the final day of the camp. This encouraged further learning within the group and also to be creative in presenting their learning. The children also had a day allocated for them to present their talents and skills to the rest of the participants.

On the last day the children were taken to Govt Zoological park in Salem and the day ended with a grand lunch.

Feedback from Children on the Buds N Colors Camp Experience

“I enjoyed the camp, as there is nobody in my family to take me to such places and was very happy to see the animals and birds”

“I was happy to do a skit and this has been my first experience to act on stage” expressed an orphan girl who has lost her father

“I was very happy to make new friends, here I did not feel discriminated or unwanted, while because of my health status, I have been ridiculed and left alone by my neighborhood” - Orphan HIV positive child.

The support group for young people living with HIV was organised in the months of January and February and the topic included on setting personal goals on health and education. In the health goals, the young people in group help their peers set goals in building the immunity and also ensure adherence to treatment.

It has been observed in group meetings and individual counselling the challenge of adherence to medication starts when the young people move into adolescence. In that stage if right information of HIV with good care is provided to the children, it enables better adherence to treatment.

Anuradha (name changed ) is 16 year old and has been recently diagnosed of her HIV status. Though she was born with HIV, she was not tested, as her mother's HIV status was diagnosed only when she became very sick. Three years before, she also was affected by cervical cancer and passed away. Recently Anuradha was tested because of her low immunity and falling sick often. Though she had been disclosed and has been advised for treatment, she is not encouraged to take the medication. The peers in the group had also shared their testimonies and have tried to encourage her to take the medicines. She also had expressed that, she was not interested in taking treatment, as her father was not  empathetic  and was suspicious of her behaviours which  affected her even more.

The importance of taking the right knowledge about HIV  to the care takers to enable a supportive environment for young adolescents towards healthy life was also identified and counselling to the family was also provided. Though the young people feel safe and confident in support groups, the stigma of HIV is still affecting the young people.