HIV/AIDs Community

This week we visited an HIV/AIDs community. The community is so supportive of each other which was refreshing to see. On the other hand seeing the state of some of the people and hearing general stories was very heart breaking. Our tour guide told us her story. She wasnt aware for a while that she had HIV. She was constantly getting sick and sent to the hospital. Eventually she was diagnosed with HIV and when she went home to tell her parents they were heartbroken and dissapointed. In response they sent her to this community to die. She was very sick when she first got to the community and was residing with those who were in a critical state. But our tour guide overcame all of this! She started taking her medications correctly which lead her to regain her strength back. She is very proud of herself for being strong now. Even still she says that she is not allowed to return home.

It is hard to see what reactions spark from the stigmas that come with HIV. Even in the United States this is still an issue! It breaks my heart to see this. We all deserve some compassion! I hope one day we can get to a place (not only with HIV but with other diseases as well) where it no longer defines who are and we can be seen as people