Tuesday, 26 February 2013

HIV Survivors - Alexis



26/02/2013

Alexis* is a 16 year old girl, she is a grade 8 student who lost her father when she was 7 years old. She is HIV negative, however her mother is HIV positive.

In order to support her mother, and as the only child that can do so, she resigned from her education and is now studying to be a hairdresser with the aim that she can start to bring in a wage. Their home costs them 300Birr per month; their water usage is restricted to one jerry can per day by the landlord. This is not enough to provide them washing water, drinking water and water for making food. They spend a few birr each day buying water elsewhere so that they can wash their clothes and make injera to sell.

Their OSSA counsellor is their only support; they say that his interest in their lives and mediation between them and OSSA has helped considerably. He is the middle man that gets their donations to them, although in recent times thee donations have become few and far between.


Kx

*names have been changed to protect identity

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