By Joan Barsulai
Few years back, HIV/Aids was treated with stigma, contempt and neglect. But slowly people are starting to accept it as they realise that everybody is either infected or affected.
However, the journey has not been easy. It has taken the concerted efforts from government, to civil society, non-state actors and unsung heroes who work behind the scenes.
One of such brave people is Georgina Nakitari, 28, who has taken a brave step by coming out in public about her status and reaching out to other infected women.
Georgina was born in Busia District, and is an only child in her family. Her parents separated when she was still young, and she was left her with her father, who later remarried.
Ms Georgina Nakitari, who is HIV positive, is transforming the lives of thousands of HIV positive women through her message of hope and courage READ MOREFrom Monkey pox, Covid-19 and Nipah virus: Why animal-to-human diseases are on the rise HIV funding falls short of targets as millions of lives hang in the balance |
"Life was not easy for me. I always longed for a mother love and care. I was ready to accommodate anybody who showed me love," she says.
After completing her studies at Nkuene Girls High School in Meru, she joined the Kenya Polytechnic in 2001 and that was where she met her first love.
"I lost my virginity to him, believing he was as inexperienced as I was. I later on became pregnant, and it was then that it was discovered that I was HIV positive," she says.
After the initial shock and trauma, she and her boyfriend decided to move in together, in Umoja, believing that they were going to die.
They did not let anyone know about their status, because back then the stigma was too much.
Family supportive
They were also unable to get any medication because back then ARVs were pretty expensive. Her baby died two months after birth due to Aids related complications.
That same year, in November, she lost her boyfriend, Patrick, to Aids. She could not handle the pressure and because of it the following year in 2004 April, she got a stroke.
She was admitted in Aga Khan, and while in hospital, confided in her step-sister about her status, and later her father.
"They were very supportive, and my father suggested that I take up a course that would enable me to get a job that was ‘HIV-friendly’ because at the time most companies did not employ infected people," she explains.
She took up community development at a local college and later on enrolled with the Coptic Hospital for a programme.
She was then able to get medication, and to also join a support group. Her CD4 count shot up from 198 to 600 within a period of six months, thanks to the drug adherence and psychosocial support she was receiving from the centre.
Georgina doing what she does best. Photos: Courtesy |
Later on she joined several other support groups, one being a Positive Youth Initiative—a youth friendly support group that conducts community outreaches, dialogue forums as well as VCT counseling and testing.
Achievements
Since coming out about her status, Georgina’s life has never been the same. She has got funding/sponsorships for the programmes she is running from APHIA 2, as well as MTV Staying Alive Foundation.
She had the privilege to meet the Staying Alive goodwill ambassador, artist Kelly Rowland, who was very touched by her story. She has also received funding from National Aids/STI Control Programs.
She has worked with the National Aids Control Council in formulating strategic planning.
This year in August, she also traveled to the US under UNESCO young leaders’ human rights forum, where she shared her experiences.
Earlier this year, she was awarded by the Ministry of Youth for outstanding performance in the HIV prevention.
She has participated in a round table discussion during the HIV free generation launch, together with the US ambassador, Michael Rannerberger , Nike foundation and other partners of the launch.
She also gives talks in several schools, colleges and Kenya Girl Guide associations; because she says it is absolutely imperative to reach out to the young girls before they become sexually active.
"My main concern, especially, is with the girls who have just completed form four, because parents hardly ever address matters concerning sexuality. This is where I step in, and encourage them to abstain, and in cases where they cannot, they should use protection."
Georgina has also appeared in talk shows on KTN, Capital FM and KBC where she has encouraged young women to take care of their HIV status and live positively, if infected.
To all women who have been infected with HIV, she has this to say to them: "forgiveness is absolutely important. Forgive whoever infected you, to move forward.
She advices those who do not know where to go, join a Comprehensive Care Centre located in in Kenyatta National Hospital.
There’s hope
"Most people see no future in those who are living with HIV because they think they are dying anyway. Remember now we have free medication and we can therefore live a long and healthy life. Investing in your HIV positive child’s future through education is not a waste of money, because they can live as normally as other children," she advices.
At the moment, Georgina is a social worker and supervisor at the Coptic Hope Centre, where she in charge of the adult clinic.
Here, she takes care of the screening, which involves finding the stage at which the patients are facing stigma in the community.
She then does home visits, and monitors if patients are adhering to their drugs and have food.
