Touching testimonials

Jean Marie K., community relays at Kabezi, Bujumbura

I was tested for HIV 8 years ago. SYM put me on ARVs, drugs that brought me back to normal life. When the SYM saw that I am taking my treatment correctly and that I am model person in my community, it suggested me to be a community relay. From then on, I travel hill by hill and household by household, raising awareness about health hygiene and the fight against HIV / AIDS. SYM regularly gives us tools for our mission. When a person suspects he may have been infected with HIV, I give him a quick screening test with the Oraquick. If the test comes back positive, I send her to SYM headquarters, to have her re-examined and put on ARV treatment, if it turns out that he is ill. When he returns to his community, I make sure that this person takes the medication correctly and that he observes the hygiene advice to limit further contamination.

However, community relays play an important role in society, although their task is not easy to accomplish. Sometimes it is difficult for us to move around in the scorching sun or torrential rains. Also, in the community, some people reject us, telling us that we are meddling with their private lives. However, I am proud to see that someone who tests positive for HIV is taking his ARV drugs correctly and regaining good health.