| A Portrait of AIDS: 21 African Women Living with AIDS |
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The Portrait of AIDS, 21 African Women Living with AIDS paints a vivid picture of AIDS and its impact on common everyday African women who are more victims of their social and cultural environment than advocates of it. In their stories you will hear echoed the haunting worries of a mother for her children and the desperation which has driven them. This is not an endorsement of their lifestyles or choices but a “window” into world of African women and the terrible price paid for choices they have made and choices others made which have brought devastating results to their personal lives. Our hope is that these brief “portraits” of real lives touched by AIDS will inspire you to pray compassionately for them and all Africans. That somehow a deep and penetrating conviction will rise within calling for you to join in our efforts to stem the tide through Crossroads compassionate ministries and expounding the gospel of salvation. Your support in prayer and finances is what enables Crossroads to penetrate the darkness of human tragedy that has descended upon Africa. Your support turns the Crossroads ministries of compassion into platforms of evangelistic encounters between a lost soul and the God of hope. Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your financial support. Please take a minute now to pray for the women portrayed here and for Crossroads as we together push back the darkness through the power of God’s grace. A Portrait of AIDS: 21 African Women Living with AIDS  1. "I was raped in Soweto. The township where I live. When I reported it to the police the officer didn't believe me. He said: `You are fat. Nobody rapes a fat girl like you.' But that's how I got the virus. At first I wanted to kill myself, but then I learned how to fight the pain inside of me. My family is supporting me. Without them I couldn't survive. I am very lucky to have my parents, my sisters and brothers. Today I counsel women who were raped too - who are HIV positive because of a crime against them. There are so many of us."
South Africa: Kefilwe Ndaba, 30. 2. "Next year I should have graduated from university. I was one of the best students of my year. Sociology was my subject. I liked it. And I really liked that young man who took me out on the weekends. He was sweet. He promised me a family, a future. But then he got ill. Now I am ill too. I'm always so tired. The doctors are confident that I am going to live, but I'm not so sure."
Democratic Republic of Congo: Nicole Katubo, 29 3. "I am so happy my twin sister is here with me. Nobody else is. My husband died a few weeks ago. It was right after I got sick too. I didn't know he was sleeping with other women. How could I? He promised to be faithful. Always. I think he broke his vows the day he married me. Look at me now. And look at my sister. I used to be so beautiful too. I hope I won't die. I really do."
Swaziland: Zanele Maziburu, 25 4. "I am going to die. But until then, I want to live my life. I want to take care of my daughter. I am the only one she has left. My husband ran away with someone after I told him about my HIV status. But I don't look backwards. The future is important. I have three wishes: a family, free antiretroviral drugs for women in Africa and that more people would speak openly about Aids."
Botswana: Malebogo Mongwaketse, 25 5. "I come from a family that discusses issues. So when I tested positive for HIV, after my husband had died of Aids, I immediately talked about it. Yes, everybody was shocked. But nobody blamed me for being ill. They know my morals and that I am good. I sometimes feel like such a failure, though. I don't want to burden my family with my problems. I need to give them some space from me."
Zambia: Salome Banda,33 6. "I lost everything. My husband died. My parents deserted me. My son lives with relatives. I don't even have money to pay for food. I sleep in this ugly shack on the ground without a mattress. It's cold and wet. I feel ill and weak. I'm hungry. Isn't a family supposed to support you during times of hardship? My family threw me away like a broken toy. But I am a human being, am I not?"
Namibia: Maria Nashilongo, 32 7. "It took a long time before I accepted my HIV status. At first I almost wanted to kill myself. Eventually I overcame my fears, even though my family and friends deserted me. But my church and my belief helped me to find a meaning in life again. I am Miss HIV Stigma Free. It's my responsibility to give strength to others. There's a life with Aids."
Botswana: Kgalalelo Ntsepe, 32 8. My baby died in the hospital. That's when they tested me for HIV. But they didn't tell me about the test. The doctors just looked at me strangely. They kept my status a secret. I felt terrible. Four months later a nurse said: `You have Aids. You will die.' I went home and cried - but I didn't die. I learned more about the disease and how to live with it. Those doctors were monsters."
Angola: Domingas "Mimi" Mitange,24 9. "First I felt tired. Then I lost weight. Finally I got tested. It was the right thing to do. I was pregnant. I was positive. A few months later I had twins. One child died. My husband left me. I was alone. Eventually he returned. He accepted that I carry the virus in me. Not many men do. I'd be devastated if he left me for good. But he might leave after all. I am a damaged woman."
Angola: Lizia Sebastiana, 33 10. "I used to be a Christian. But I converted to Islam. It wasn't because I'm a Muslim, but because I am going to die. I need to know that somebody is taking care of my children. Muslim boarding schools are free. Christian schools cost money. I am poor. I have no money. At least someone is taking care of my children. My husband is dead. What can I do? I have no other alternative."
Swaziland: Nadine Rudd, 30 11. "I didn't tell my husband that I am HIV positive. I'm afraid he would leave me. Who would take care of my daughter and me? I just told him to use condoms because I don't want another child. He didn't ask me any questions. Perhaps he got tested too and won't tell me. I know it's not right to lie. But the truth would destroy our lives. So we pretend everything is fine."
Malawi: Ivy William, 27 12. "My husband used to work in South Africa. He was a mine worker. He only came home every other month. Of course we didn't use condoms - he was my husband. How could I have known that he had other women? He died a few years ago. Now I am ill. I am HIV positive. My children don't know about it. Nobody does. I don't want people to reject me. They would if they knew."
Mozambique: Etelvina Arualdo Simbine,48 13. "I am not going to die. Who would take care of my six children? My little brother? He can't even take care of himself. My mother? She raised eight children on her own. It's not her responsibility. My husband? Well, after I told him I am HIV positive, he left the house and never returned. That was six months ago. But I will wait for him. I am sure he will be back. He's my husband."
Democratic Republic of Congo: Mujinga Kanama, 41 14. "I was a good wife. I built a nice home for my husband. I slept with him every time he wanted to. But when I tested positive for HIV, he left me. The sad thing is that I not only lost my husband but I also lost my best friend and the father of my children. How can a man do this; leave his children? Today, the most important people in my life are my children. Especially my eldest son. He understands the seriousness of my illness. He listens to me and gives me strength and love. He is a good man."South Africa: Angie Diale, 40  15. "My husband is a really funny guy. People love him - especially women. I can't blame them, though. I fell for him too. We both tested positive for HIV a while ago. But he doesn't care. 'When it's time to die, it's time to die,' my husband says. He continues to drink beer and sleep around with all the women he can find. They don't seem to care either. I don't understand that attitude."
Lesotho: Mamokhethi Rathebe, 30 16. "I don't know where my husband lives. One day he left us. It was after I had tested HIV-positive. I asked him to take a test as well, but he refused. He told me I was dirty and a whore. But I am not. I love my husband. I never slept with another man in all our years of marriage. I told him that, but he didn't believe me. I just hope that my daughter will have a better life in the future."
Lesotho: Alina Sekoboto, 34 17. "I don't see myself having a future. My traditional healer couldn't help me. The doctor in the hospital couldn't help me either. I have two children from two husbands. Both men are dead from Aids. My family is poor, so what can I do? I'm just passing time until I die. The only thing that worries me is my children. What will happen to them? Who will take care of them?"
Swaziland: Dorris Nzima, 40 18. "I had a terrible youth. I grew up with my aunt. We were poor and desperate. She forced me to sleep with men in order to get money for food. I fell in love with one of them and had my first child. Today I have six children from six different husbands. The last two husbands have died. I am HIV positive, poor and hungry. I have no choice but to once again sell myself to men, even to priests. My children are hungry. You see?"
Zimbabwe: Caroline Jaramba, 35 19. "My husband died of witchcraft. The same evil spirits gave me the disease too. I was told it's called HIV/Aids. I was told that I will die, and that there's nothing I can do about it. But I have three children and I need a man who can take care of them when I am dead. I need him to build a house and send my children to school. When I find that man, I can die in peace. Not any sooner."
Mozambique: Olivia Antonio Nhantumbo, 27 20. "My husband was 32 when he died. That was last month. I am ill too: HIV-positive, so they say. I am pregnant. In a few months I will give birth. Maybe it was the witchdoctor who gave us the disease. I don't know. All I know is that I have to protect my children from him. He is evil. I don't have money for medication. Not even for the bus to bring me to the city. All I do is wait."Mozambique: Teresa Laisse Nhamusse, 31  21. "I'm finished. My life is coming to an end. I just hope my child will be okay. It's not easy to die and not to know what will happen to my daughter. I'm afraid she might end up alone in an orphanage. What will she remember of me? Will she think I abandoned her or that I was a bad mother? I hope that she will forgive me. I always pray for that."
Swaziland: Nokuthula Gamedze, 36 |
