A Labour of Love
This past Sunday, December 1st, was World AIDS Day.
In 2005, when we travelled across Africa, nearly 25 million Africans were living with AIDS. HIV/AIDS is still a major health issue in Africa. UNAIDS estimated 64% of the world’s HIV infections are in Southern Africa, and South Africa has the highest AIDS/HIV rate in the world. AIDS is the leading cause of death for people aged 10-19 years in Africa, and about 1,000 HIV-infected infants are born every day.
While in South Africa, I met up with a nurse, Jenny, who arranged for us to visit a Hospice Centre, a primary health care clinic, a community-based “illegal orphanage,” and a legal orphanage just outside of Johannesburg. It was here that we began to understand some of the difficulties and challenges Africa faces in treating and caring for people with HIV/AIDS.
South of Johannesburg at the end of a long a dusty dirt road we arrived at an orphanage. Jenny introduced us to Matshabalala, an exuberant woman who greeted us with a wide, friendly smile. Thirty-eight children, all excited by the arrival of visitors, surrounded her. The earth was dusty, a large tree providing shade to sleeping mongrel dogs and wandering chickens. It was desolate except for several shacks. They had no running water or electricity. It was basically an illegal squatter camp, but home to an amazing and compassionate woman and the children. To the children, this was their home, and she was their mom. Most of her children were orphaned when their parents died of AIDs and HIV-related complications.
The time we spent with Matshabalala and the children was special and humbling. All the children wanted their photos taken. “Shoot, shoot,” they cried, and then, with shouts of delight, gathered around the LCD of the camera to see themselves. Some children had never seen what they looked like. This experience of their resilience in the face of such hardship was a profound lesson in humility.
The children were resilient, caring for each other and finding joy in the simple act of having their photos taken. I still wondered what happened to all those children we met 19 years ago.
In Southern Africa only a few patients with HIV/AIDS are eligible or able to receive antiretroviral medication and treatment. The reasons are multiple and complex. Many patients are illiterate and cannot read the labels on the medication bottles or instructions; they cannot read a calendar, so they fail to keep appointments. They either do not own a watch or cannot tell the time; therefore, they do not take the medication at the correct time. Many are malnourished, which makes “healing” very difficult. Transportation is a significant barrier; not having a car or being too weak to walk long distances, many are unable to get to the health care clinics. With poverty comes substance abuse, causing poor liver function, which excludes them from taking antiretroviral medication. Many refused to be tested. Understanding these challenges requires empathy, a key element in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis.
On World Aids Day 2006, Tom and I were in Zambia and were invited to an AIDS Day event. It was a vibrant and colorful event, with dancing and music filling the air. Young boys were proudly wearing their Scout uniforms, and children were marching and playing. It was a powerful display of unity and determination in the fight against AIDS. I have included a link to a video of the event in Zambia.
We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country with such comprehensive access to medical care. I certainly experienced this firsthand when I fell and received excellent care. It’s a privilege that we should never take for granted, and it also underscores the responsibility we have to support those who are not as fortunate.