Success Stories..Positive Living

Positive living prolongs Donozio's life

When HIV/AIDS first struck in the 1980s, people died within a short time and whoever had the HIV virus expected to die in a few days. In a family, once someone tested HIV positive, it often led to break up in marriage, pointing fingers and accusing each other. Over the years through counselling, the trend is changing. Partners are increasingly testing for their sero status voluntarily and are living positively and happy.

A visit to Sebugwawo Donozio 45, and Beatrice 30 of Lyantonde town who have been living positively with AIDS since 2000 gives you a clear picture that HIV infection is not the end of life or lead to family breakdown. Donozio tested HIV positive in August 2000 after interacting with LWF trained Volunteer AIDS Counsellor, Mayanja John, who advised him to take an HIV test. After two weeks and accompanied by his wife, he went to get his results which unfortunately returned positive.

"I lost all hope but thank God for the counsellors who comforted me and assured me that it wasn’t the end for me. I am now on Anti Retroviral Therapy and I haven’t had any serious sickness again, I am a contented man and am sure I will die only of old age!" comments Donozio.

Donozio and his wife
receive a bicycle from Lillian

His wife Beatrice confesses that after her husband tested HIV positive, she also decided to take the test because she had also started falling sick on and off. When her results came back positive, she vowed to stand by her husband’s side and support each other during this trying moment.At one time, Donozio fell so ill and was in a coma for sometime. The community even made preparations for his burial, but he was given medication which has been very effective. He’s now very healthy, strong and is working hard to earn a living for his family.

Beatrice who is also on Anti Retroviral Therapy comments that "what really pleases me is that I will live long to see my children grow up into responsible citizens. I am also grateful to LWF for the emotional and physical support which has been overwhelming on our part" The main challenge for Donozio is his wife’s chest pains yet the treatment is quite expensive that he has not even raised half the price.

LWF has built for this couple a house with a water collection tank, provided them with a bicycle, food aid, goats, 2 beds, 2 blankets, 2 mattresses, and 2 mosquito nets. Their future plans are to educate their children aged between 10 – 14 years by rearing the goats provided by LWF and practicing agriculture and petty trade.