Report - Hiv Support Group

HIV SUPPORT GROUP

The causes of the HIV/AIDS are numerous and complex. Contributory factors include poverty, lack of education, several sexual partners, migration and mobility. HIV/AIDS infection is endemic in the Malawian population.

Heterosexual intercourse is responsible for 90% of HIV infections, followed by transmission from mother to child.

In communities that have faced HIV together have learned how to discuss HIV and are working to improve prevention and provide care and support for the infected. The community and the family must treat them with love, affection and encouragement and make them feel valued and useful.

In practice, to treat someone with love, affection and encouragement means to:

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Keep the patient in the center of the family.

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Provide a healthy diet.

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Minimize the risk of infections.

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Treat opportunistic infections promptly.

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Make the environment as pleasant as possible.

We knew about an HIV Support Group that was on one hour distance on foot from Chilangoma NHQ. Federico, one of our fellow D.Is and an amazing soul, was working with them and during the Christmas Holidays invited us to take part of the events. So we went there to share a little bit of our knowledge related with HIV and natural medicine to boost the immune system.

In fact, there are many plants that are widely used to strengthen the immune system, however not everyone knows about this. For instance the African sweet potato, Artemisia, Bitter leaf, Sutherlandia can stimulate our defenses.

At least two of the following can be used daily to prevent opportunistic diseases:

1. Garlic

4. Neem

7. Moringa

2. Aloe vera

5. Lemon

8. Amaranth grain

3. Artemisia tea

6. Lemon grass

9. Natural bee products

Besides and healthy diet, an AIDS patient must:    

Spend at least half an hour in the sun Make exercise Be positive Always use a condom

After some hours of conversation and laughing, we promised that we were going to spend the afternoon of 26 th December with them. Together, all the DI´s agreed to give a symbolic Christmas gift - 1 kg of rice for each family.

Actually, we didn’t realize until the very moment that a HIV positive shared their struggle to cultivate a small garden. Since their bodies are weakened by the disease, farming is a tough job. For this reason, they appreciated so much our gift, it was a different and a consistent meal.

We were received as their family. Everyone was dancing and singing, showing that they were so grateful and that Life should be celebrated.

It was a lesson for all of us to see people in such a happiness. We chatted and played games, it seemed that no one was sick, for some moments we were all small children having fun with all the small things around us.