I
am Banumathi 35 years old a native of Kavuniji
part of the Kodaikanal Hills. I had a happy
life with my husband and my daughter Roopa
51/2 years old. My husband died 5 years ago
due to AIDS. He was a worker in the coffee
estate. After his death only ewe came to know
that he had AIDS. Soon after his death I and
my daughter came to RTU for general treatment.
Their test revealed that both of us are HIV+.
We were brought under their HIV+ care and
support programme. Monthly I received monitory
assistance.
But the discrimination
due to social stigma prevalent in our society
to HIV+ continued. On every 25th RTU conduct
PLWHA meet through which we get regular follow
ups, counseling and moral support. In one
of the meetings we came to know that an AIDS
affected couple hanged themselves after killing
their baby in a neighbouring village leaving
one other child as an orphan. On hearing this
we cried to Brother and requested shelter
for us were well aware that RTU is not engaging
HIV ladies as foster mothers as they lose
their stamina very fast and all the Children's
Villages(CV) are full to its capacity. In
this situation Brother considered us as a
special case and accommodated in Anbu Illam.
Similar to me another unfortunate mother Madhavi
with her 3 children were also accommondated
in Miriam Children's villages as a special
case. We are living a happy life with our
children. After my life "thatha"
(grandfather) will continue the same good
care to my child. My daughter is doing her
1st standard in RTU School.
