The example set by a woman leader

Parvathamma is a SHG leader in her village. She used her influence and her position to support two women affected by HIV who were facing discrimination in her communities, and helped them lead a self-sufficient life. Watch this video of Parvatamma’s sharing…. A brief summary of her sharing…. There was a young couple in my [...]

A word of support at the right time

This is the story of a lady, a care volunteer, who was there to support a young man, when he discovered his HIV status. It is translated as closely as possible to her own narration of the experience. I had taken my younger brother to the testing centre for HIV testing, before his wedding. There, [...]

Keeping up the promise

This is the story of a man who as a volunteer had helped a HIV positive woman get admitted to the care centre when she was very sick. He was motivated to help her, even though he was not in any way related to her, nor had any prior acquaintance with her. He made a [...]

An agent of change

Shruti is a young lady pursuing her college education. She lives with her family in her village. Shruti is studying to be a teacher. She says that in her capacity as a teacher, with a chance to influence young people, she will make sure she talks to them about non-discrimination, about acceptance, concern and care. [...]

A village changes its mind

Lakshmamma works as a cook for the children’s bisioota (mid-day meal) scheme in her village. A few months ago, when the village community found out she was HIV positive, there were concerns about whether she should continue with her job. There was a strong opinion in the village that she should be asked to leave. Although [...]

Religious leaders take the lead

Ramanna was a jogappa (a group of transgenders in South India who are followers of the Goddess Yallamma). He was born a Muslim, but went through the traditional ceremony of Muthu Kattodu (a ceremony of dedication to the goddess ) and became jogappa. He had been away from his family for a long time, but [...]

Compassion and concern to ensure dignity and decency in death

For many people with HIV, stigma and discrimination dogs them, not just in life, but in their death also. People have been denied appropriate funeral with all the prescribed rites, frequently cremated when burial is the custom, or buried deep inside, in an isolated area, because of community prejudices against them. This robs the positive [...]