How to Overcome the Struggle with HIV/AID

(This article is an Interview session held with a Lady in Botswana who is infected with HIV but is today a Successful Sexual Morality Counselor)

Can we meet you (tell us a little about your background)

My name is Tebatso V. M. I am a young lady of 24 years of age. I am a Motswana, born here in Botswana, in Mochudi village. We are four in my family (my mother, step-dad, younger brother and me).I was raised up by my grandmother. I have diploma in Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Course. And I have volunteered in a youth non-organisation called "YOUTH AGAINST ACCIDENTS",

Have you ever suffered Sexual Abuse?

Yes. When I was young (10 years of age), my step-grandfather would always want to have sex with me more especially when my grandmother was not around. I didn’t know anything by then. When my mother advised me, it was already too late. I remember one day when I was sweeping in our house, I was about 12years of age, I saw a piece of paper saying that my step-grandfather died because of HIV/AIDS; right there I knew that I was infected. So when I was 18 years of age, about to finish at high school, I got affected by herpes on the face and immediately I went to the hospital and they told me it’s for people who are infected by HIV. I got home, then I told my mother and she came and we went for HIV tests, then I found out that I was HIV positive. So as we speak, I am on ARVs-HIV treatment.

When where you first taught about sex?

I was first taught about sex when I was at my primary level doing standard 6

When you find out you were HIV positive how did you first react to it?

When I first found out that I was HIV positive, I became so depressed and suicidal

What are the emotional traumas you suffered as a result of the issue?

                                                          

I felt so unloved, rejected, anger, tried to commit suicide (woke up in the hospital), been to Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital...now am here, it is only by the grace of God.

Have you face any embarrassment as a result of your condition?

Being HIV positive and being on ARVs are the embarrassments of my life.

There is a high level of HIV affection in Botswana, What would you say is the cause?

Unprotected sex and Drugs and alcohol abuse.

How did you overcome the emotional traumas of your issue?

Being closer to God, and going to church every service for learning, upliftment and revival.

What lessons have you learnt from being an HIV victim?

Any person can be affected with HIV.

How can an HIV victim live a normal life?

Being HIV positive doesn’t stop you from living your normal life. 1. Carry out activities one who is not HIV would carry. 2. Socializing 3. Eating healthy foods e.g. vegetables 4. Accepting their HIV status.

 What advice do you have for other HIV Victims?

They should allow God to be their comfort more than anyone in this world! Allows pouring out their hearts to Him! He is the best friend we can ever have! He has been my pillar of strength! I would cry to Him and he would comfort me! Trust God, His Word and prayer!

Can a person have sex with HIV person and not contact the virus?

A person has high chances of contracting HIV when having sex without protection with an infected person. A person has small chances of being infected when having sex with an HIV victim with protection.

How can you help other HIV victims for them to live a normal life?

I would first advice them to trust God and attend church regularly for revival and upliftment! I would create some activities that they will be part of like retreats/get together or any activities whereby they can have fun-we come together and plan what we would like to do!-maybe twice in a month. *I would create a group whereby we come together and just talk about everything and advice each other! We pray for each other! - may 4/6 times a month! *We participate in other community groups/activities like help the orphanages etc.

What is the advice that you will give to youth who is being sexual abuse?

They should speak out and seek help from parents/teachers/neighbors. They shouldn’t keep quite no matter so that the matter could be address before hand!

What advice would you give to youth who are currently engage in sexual immorality?

Sexual immorality (sin) is one of the things that hinder God from blessing us. God in His word says that our bodies are the temple of God and we should present our bodies holy and acceptable to God, so sexual immorality pollute and contaminate our bodies or souls because when we commit sexual immorality our souls become tied to those we sin with-we will then start to carry the burdens/loads of that persons. So as youth, we must choose sexual purity and enjoy the blessings, peace, freedom that sexual purity brings! Sexual immorality separate family (disunite the family) its true because one will always want to be with that person he/she commit sexual immorality with no matter what! Even at school, we will choose sexual immorality over our studies, that is, we will not stay focused and committed to our studies and this will lead to failure! Pregnancy, abortion, school dropout, stagnancy are all some consequences of sexual immorality! Renew your youth and choose sexual purity!