Bahinda Abraham (Not Real Name), is an eight-year-old HIV-positive boy living with disability in Muyembe cell, Malukhu ward, Industrial Division, Mbale City. Abraham’s father abandoned his pregnant mother, leaving her in a state of helplessness. Born HIV-positive, the overwhelmed mother made the decision to entrust her one-year-old child to her […]
A Community United to Support HIV-Positive Children and Prevent New Infections
Olupe Village, Bisina Parish, Ngariam Sub County, is a close-knit community in Katakwi District, Uganda with a strong support system expanding beyond the home borders. This collective effort has played a pivotal role in reshaping the lives of HIV-positive children like 12-year-old Alfa enrolled on the OVC Program and safeguarding […]
Economic empowerment improves ART adherence and contributes to better HIV treatment outcomes for HIV positive Mother and Children
Despite continuous counselling through home visits, economic challenges are a major hindrance to better treatment outcomes among people living with HIV in Uganda. Athieno (not real name) is a 36-year-old single mother who lives in the Eastern division, Tororo municipality, Tororo district. She was enrolled into the OVC program in […]
Overcoming Barriers to HIV Viral Load Suppression among Children through offering Love and Support
In the North Eastern Uganda, particularly in Kotido District, the battle against low-scale viral load suppression for children living with HIV (CLHIV) has been ongoing. Amidst this challenge, the story of Lopido Lawrence (Not real name), a 16-year-old HIV-positive adolescent enrolled in the USAID OVC North East Activity, stands out […]
The Power of Collaboration in HIV Adherence and Viral Suppression: Emmanuel’s Story of Dealing with Opportunistic Infections
Emmanuel (not real name), a 15-year-old boy living with HIV had, for seven challenging months, grappled with a non-suppressed viral load, with a count of 36,874 copies/ml, from November 22, 2021. This situation not only jeopardized his stability in treatment but also left him vulnerable to opportunistic infections. The challenges […]
Bridging Caregiver-Child Bonds: Defeating HIV Stigma and Fostering Self-Esteem for a Child Living with HIV
In the small village of Otucho, Dakabela Parish in Soroti District, Eastern Uganda, lives Angel (pseudonym), a young girl (17 years) enrolled in the USAID OVC North East Activity. Angel faced a challenging journey marked by poor parental support and the burden of being the only HIV-positive child in her […]
Triumphing Over Teenage Pregnancy, HIV and Stigma: Janesten’s Journey to Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
In the remote village of Kasipodo, Osukuru Sub County, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda, Janesten (pseudonym) has been quietly battling the odds, overcoming not only the challenges of being an HIV-positive teenager but also the harsh realities of both HIV/AIDS stigma and teenage pregnancy to achieve safe motherhood. A Childhood Marked […]
“I have learnt that I have to take drugs everyday as prescribed for good Adherence due to AIDS.” Angel, Child Living with HIV
Despite adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) appointments and treatment, non-disclosure and acceptance remains a challenge to people living with HIV in Sop Sop sub county, Tororo District. Angel (not real name), a 13-year-old twin, is living with HIV in a family of four, which includes their mother, father, and another […]
Overcoming Stigma and Rebuilding a Family: A Child Living with HIV’s Journey to Suppressed Viral Load
Child Living with HIV (CLHIV) (KT-08/PA-0132-01) with high viral load copies (234,471) finally suppressed with less copies (159) after various engagements with the caregiver, social worker, parasocial worker and the health team of Panyangara HC III. Naduk (not real names) is the mother and primary caregiver of Lotee (not real […]
To step out of an unhealthy sexual relationship through a youth group
Mary, 14 years, is a member of ‘Patience Pays Club’ under the ICYD Journeys program(group program for youth) in Tororo. Mary’s mother narrates that her daughter was a very well-behaved girl who used to attend her school regularly and would also help her with house chores such as cooking […]