The Reality Of Living With HIV
Khumoetsile Magonare | Monday December 3, 2018 14:46
In commemoration of World AIDS Day on December 1, as part of the 16 Days Of Activism calls were made for all actions to collectively end the stigma and gender-based violence.
This year’s theme calls on everyone to know his or her status, which is a first step in mapping a wayfoward.
To see how those living with the virus, which has been part of our lives for more than three decades now, The Monitor took to Kopong to find how a young lady is facing the reality of stigma, fighting for acceptance, depression and even suicidal thoughts after being diagnosed with HIV. Despite all, she is the victor and no longer the victim.
Bonolo Selaledi was born in 1995 in Gaborone but was raised in Kopong by her mum and late father.
She is currently enrolled with Gaborone Universal College of Law in Travel Tourism and Hospitality. Bonolo was born with HIV although her mother was not aware of her status until after Bonolo was born.
False Prophecy
In 2005, Bonolo stopped taking her antiretroviral therapy when a certain prophet declared that she was healed. She did not only stop taking the life-saving medication, but also attending the checkups at the clinic.
Her system became weak and she started getting sick. At first the doctors diagnosed her with migraine until she was screened and found that antibodies had risen and HIV back on the ravage. She then started taking her medication to recover.
“I did not accept the status and I even tried to commit suicide four times. I went for counselling for a month and that’s when I started to get back to my routine,” said Bonolo.
The young lady exercised the importance of forgiveness in the process of accepting and being able to disclose your status.
“During the therapy I was attending I made a decision to forgive myself, even the Prophet who said I was healed,” she said.
“I was still working hard in realising and accepting myself. Even in relationships I suffered a lot as when I disclosed my status, a boyfriend will disappear,” Selaledi said.
She recalls moments and times whereby most of her age mates lost their lives due not to accepting their status as they got sick from the virus.
She said some of them are even in relationships but have not disclosed, which makes it hard for them to take their medication properly, and go for the checkups.
Living Positively
The most important thing is self-acceptance and spiritual healing, said Selaledi. She stressed how she allowed God to heal and give her the strength.
Moreover, her sister’s support has been motivating her to do checkups and take her medication.
Selaledi emphasised the importance of self-awareness, noting that spreading love is also essential in helping the infected to accept themselves.
The young lady is also planning to do support groups that will help her fellows accept and be able to disclose their statuses in order for them to easily go for medication and checkups.