Mukabalisa’s story is heartwarming

Editor,I wish to thank The New Times team for always going out of their way to get us stories that are inspiring. I was so touched by the story titled, “She lost her husband, tested HIV positive and hid from the world” (The Sunday Times, December 2), about one Judith Mukabalisa, who is bravely contending with the challenges of living with HIV.According to the story, Mukabalisa found out her HIV status back in 2005, three years after the death of her husband, who apparently died from a different cause – he was beaten to death by robbers. While the news (of her status) was certainly depressing for Mukabalisa, she did not resign on life. She decided that she and her youngest child – who was also later found to be HIV positive – would start to take ARVs, rather than being immersed in sorrow. She also moved around town looking for a job, only to learn about Ubuzima Project, a church initiative which supports women living with HIV. She learned how to weave and, through making ornaments and other products from African fabric, she’s taking care of her family.Today, while she may still be wondering how she contracted the virus, Mukabalisa is living a positive life and manages to feed, cloth and educate her children.With the world targeting zero new HIV infections by 2015, it’s important that we celebrate such courageous vulnerable women (and men) like Mukabalisa, who are navigating the various challenges they encounter to ensure a bright future for their families.As society, we should support such people and help them live much longer than they thought. Mukabalisa represents so many hardworking women out there, who have refused to give up on life despite the enormity of the challenges that face them. I salute each one of them. God bless them and our country.Julius Munyangabe,Gasabo

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Mukabalisa’s story is heartwarming