3 March 2011

Daniel, one of our new home-based care workers, shares the challenges faced by people living with HIV and AIDS.

Hilma* is a single mother who lives in an informal settlement area on the outskirts of Windhoek, Namibia. She has been living with HIV for some time but only recently found out her status. Unemployed and raising two children, she often wonders if it wouldn’t be better to give them up for adoption.

She explains, “My ten-year-old son is also HIV positive and lives with my family in the north of the country. He is constantly sick and struggles to get proper medical care because where they stay is far from the clinic. His father gives me little assistance so I don’t know how I am supposed to support him or ensure that he remains healthy.

My baby girl has so far tested HIV negative (she will have the final test at 18 months old in a few months’ time) but she also gets sick a lot. I did not breastfeed her because that’s what the doctors advised, but I think that is why she is not as strong as other children.”

John*, the father of Hilma’s daughter, is a hardworking man but is also living with HIV and this sometimes makes it difficult for him to find a job. Despite this, he is one of the few who has fully accepted his HIV status and is living positively. He currently has a temporary job as a bus driver from Windhoek to the north of the country, but this means that he is often away from Hilma and their daughter. “I want to work hard to support my daughter,” he says, “so I will take whatever job I can get.”

John and Hilma tell me that my visits have made a great difference to them, knowing that someone cares and being able to talk about their problems. As we meet we also discuss what the Bible says and spiritual issues. Hilma recently asked for a Bible in her language and was so happy when we were able to give her one. She’s now texting encouraging Bible verses that she finds to her friends!

Living with HIV requires a great deal of dedication, patience and bravery. My role is to support Hilma and John through the ups and downs and pray that they find the true hope available in Christ Jesus.

Pray

• Praise God for Panii and Ingrid, the new carers
• Pray for the constant worries faced by the clients--particularly finding work and staying healthy. Their health can fluctuate from being well to having to be hospitalised
• Pray that the carers will be sensitive to the spiritual needs of the clients, as well as to the more obvious physical and emotional needs

Go:

SIM has many positions open for ministry. We need people who will share the love of Christ by caring for others physically, emotionally and spiritually. Will you consider giving your skills and time?