Acinta

My name is Acinta and today I am 33 years old. When I am in secondary school, I get news that my parents have perished in a road accident in Kampala where they went for business. I have 6 other siblings behind me; I have to drop out of school to take care of them.

I start working in people’s houses to educate my siblings. The burden of supporting my siblings has become huge and I have settled for an early marriage. I get married and conceive a baby. When I go for my antenatal check-up, I am told that I am HIV positive. I am given enough counseling and I accept my status. I followed doctors’ instructions and gave birth to a HIV free child. I continue following doctors’ instructions and give birth to three other children all HIV negative. I get a job as a mentor mother in hospital. I still need to support my siblings who are still struggling. My siblings have all gone through school. I feel it is time I also went back, completed my education and get a better life so that I can raise my children well. My friends and I fall victims of circumstances because we cannot support ourselves financially. We also have the burden of care. I still believe women should be empowered because with very little resources we can do so much in the community. Organizations working with us should be funded to support us because they interact directly with us and know our needs.
YES, WOMEN CAN!