HIV positive people given hope

SOUTHERN PROVINCE NYARUGURU – HIV positive people brought under different associations involved in agriculture known as UEBR-SIDA say they have earned now hope of life. The group is working with support from Christianaid Rwanda, an international NGO. According to Claver Buzizi the project officer, UEBR-SIDA is supporting 157 HIV positive people and paying school tuitions for 44 secondary students from Nyaruguru district and Huye district. Buzizi said UEBR got the idea to support HIV positive people after being told of their plight. “People who contracted the deadly virus were despised by their fellow Christians and some pastors and they could not feel at ease even during congregations.” Buzizi said. Immaculée Mukampabuka the representative of Christianaid Rwanda said that apart from making various forms of donations to HIV-positive people UEBR-SIDA in partnership with Christianaid train such groups in areas such as AIDS prevention and urge them as beneficiaries to be on the front line to fight the scourge. “Christianaid is committed to back HIV positive people because they still have right to life and they are the ones to take the front to fight against AIDS.” Mukampabauka urged the beneficiaries last Tuesday at Nyaruguru when Christianaid visited Kurama association. Berthilde Mukamuhire a member and a HIV positive widow since 2001 disclosed that the support of UEBR-SIDA has lifted up her living standards. “I feel strong as all people since I begun taking antiretroviral drugs and though I am a widow I can work and survive.” Mukamuhira said. Ends