World Aids day(waD) 2016 – Cameroon

In Yaoundé I was looking at the results of one of our projects in the east of Cameroon and the disaggregation between men and women who had received a viral load test (25- 75%) – I was told (by a man) that HIV was a woman’s problem and therefore many more women are infected than men hence the difference – why is that? I ask with one eyebrow raised, there are just as many men as women in Cameroon.

‘Oh, because men here have many wives!’

Or is it that women, and those with children, have better health-seeking behaviors. Cameroon has an HIV prevalence rate of 4.9% It remains the leading cause of mortality in the country (14.8% and ranks 12 globally) Life expectancy is 57.3 years (55.9 for men and 58.6 for women – ranked 173 out 183 countries)

Jeannette Diwia a young Cameroonian mother found out last year that her husband was infected with HIV. Jeannette pleaded with her him to give up the other women who he lived with, he refused and so she left her husband fearful for her own health. (She should be given PrEP!)

Alone with the girls, she can only barely afford to keep a roof over their heads let alone pay for them to go to school. So they stay at home, help out and play in the yard. Emilienne (6) and Sylvie (4) are young and bright girls but at high risk of exploitation, sexual abuse, and HIV if they don’t get an education – they need to start school soon.

This year, I have already managed to fund through ‘ART’ all my children in Kenya to continue their education in 2017 – Peace (7) and Catherine (13) in Kibera, Molly (13), Phenny (15), Lavine (14), Valentine (14), Sharon (17), Mitchelle (14) and her brother Bob (9), Catherine (17), Marceline (8), and Gloria (7) in Kisumu. All live or where born with HIV, secure schooling has built their confidence, improved their health and will allow them to make better life choices.

Emelienne and Sylvie along with their mother need our help this December. Their lives have been affected by HIV but thankfully they are not infected. Funds I raise this 1 December will go towards their education – it may not be enough, as I have not painted enough, but I can try.