I enjoy working with people living with HIV

ANASTANZIA 'STACY' WAKESHO survived an abusive marriage to prosper in business and succeed in raising her two children. Working closely with people living with HIV is her way of giving back to society; Stacy Care Foundation

I started Stacy Care Foundation, a welfare for HIV-positive single men and women, including widows and the divorced, all between the ages of 19-60. Way back in 1996, I cared for a relative who was HIV-positive.

 Four years later, she passed away. Back then, not many people could care lovingly for any person living with Aids. In 2000, I fought hard to help a friend who was HIV-positive get a good job where I was working, which was a difficult task. In 2003, I housed a close girlfriend who was HIV-positive and she is healthy to date and leading a normal life.

My objective is to kill the stigma still surrounding HIV and Aids and to stop the spread. We encourage those infected to accept positive living and we do this through group therapy and spiritual counselling. Many of our members have found hope, love, companionship and even life partners among each other. This is an important part of my life.

I fund the foundation’s activities from my pocket and the small membership fee I receive from members. Many people were surprised when I decided to start a foundation for people living with HIV. What I can say is, this is God’s calling for me and it is also my way of giving back to the society. Many people don’t associate HIV and Aids with tourism, yet the two are very closely inter-connected. Tourism is about leisure, travelling and fun, and this is how many people get infected.

Care and love

I feel lucky to be associated with people living with HIV. I have the opportunity to care and love them and to me, they are part of my family and they appreciate me in return.

At first, not many of them could figure me out. They didn’t understand why I, an HIV-negative person, would want to work with them. After realising my intentions were real and my concern genuine, they accepted me.

Because of the foundation, I have come across many women in situations similar to my previous marriage, and I have learnt that marriages can be beautiful only if both parties love and fear God and put Him first. Many people have been, and are still being infected with HIV within the confines of marriage, and this is sad. I do not advocate for divorce but people in bad marriages should weigh their options and leave if the situation calls for it. To remain in a bad marriage is not healthy. I chose to walk away after 13 years and it has worked out fine for my children and I.

I know we are still a long way from getting rid of the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids, but my wish is for more people who are HIV-negative to take up positive roles towards supporting people infected with the virus.

Further, people should not be afraid to take the HIV test and, where the results are positive, seek treatment and join support groups in good time. I guarantee you will live longer and contribute positively towards the economy of our country.