By Daniel Marungu | Project Leader
Kanywa is one of our Breath Ambassadors. He tested HIV postive last year. Kanywa joined our programme where he learned new skills, understanding and experience to live his life more fully. He was quick to understand how our breathing and life coaching sessions could help him and was commited to making changes in his life to help himself. He benefited from the medical knowledge we taught him.
Today ,Kanywa visits schools, churches and support groups educating others about HIV and AIDS and how to live safely without fear of spreading the virus.
Schools welcome Kanywa with open arms because he is able to talk about HIV and AIDS with first hand knowledge and no fear - something many teachers and parents are not brave enough to discuss with their children. Having worked on himself, Kanywa has the passion and courage to help others like him to live positively by developing an awareness of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmited illnesses. When we approached him to share some thoughts for this report , this is what he said:
“Now i live postively becouse I go to support groups meetings and talk with other people living with HIV like me.I have my own money, i can buy my own medicene, i take my children to school. I am living really , really well.
I give thanks to TIBA AFRICA FOUNDATION. I live like a HIV- person. Tiba has supported me a lot. It has taught me alot.
I want to tell others that being HIV+ is not a death sentence. They should get tested and know their
status. It is important to live normal becouse you can live for a long time.
When tested +ve, they should joing support groups like Tiba Africa foundation where they will meet with others like them, talk with one another and learn breathing therapy among other supportive things that can help them live healthy”.
We are happy for Kanywa’s progress. He among others are doing a tremendous job in our comminity.
Through his empowerment work, we have been able to support someone with HIV, who went on to give birth to baby who also tested HIV negative( healthy baby without HIV virus)!. Such results gives us hope for future. Overcoming fear and stigma around HIV and AIDS is a national priority in Kenya. Medical services do exist, but sadly these are oven not being taken up by some people in slums due to fear and prejudice. The work of our Ambassodors is crucial in breaking through this barrier.
We wish to give our thanks to all our donors who contributed to Kanywa’s growth and others like him.
Caroline is also doing well. I will be visiting her next month and I hope to share how she is geting on in our next report.
What can you do to keep this work growing?
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