5. Counseling and Testing - Nyambe, Zambia

“There are still many who are scared to come to the clinic. They are stigmatizing themselves. I hope if they see me and I can speak to them, this might give them encouragement.”[Transcript]“One of my close friends was unwell with an STI (sexually transmitted infection). Our Clinical Officer here in Kapiri advised him to go for VCT (voluntary counseling and testing). I didn’t want him to be on his own so I offered to go with him for support. We both had the test done, he tested HIV negative and I tested HIV positive. The news came as a huge blow to me, it was the last thing I was expecting, he was the one who was ill not me.I’m married with two young daughters and after I first found out the news I couldn’t tell my wife. I realized if I wanted to protect her I had to use condoms. Though I tried I couldn’t sleep with her, I lost my sex drive and avoided her. My counselor encouraged me to open up to her. I did and I went with her for VCT, she also tested HIV positive. For one month she was not herself but slowly she began to accept her status. I’d already been involved in the local NZP+ group and she joined me. She helped mobilize a support group on her own and now has become a very strong member of NZP+, also doing psycho-social counseling. I feel we have become a stronger family now I know I can handle the fact I am HIV positive – my wife is more than able to.My CD4 count was very low, though I have never been ill, and I went onto ARV drugs at the recommendation of the clinic. I have had no serious side effects from the drugs and my sex drive has returned. I’m not sure whether this is because I feel psychologically ok again or because I’m on the ARV drugs. I now feel it’s important for me to support others locally who are living with HIV. There are still many woh are scared to come to the clinic. They are stigmatising themselves. I hope if they see me and I can speak to them this might give them encouragement. Coming together with others who are in the same situation as yourself really helps to build your confidence, you have time to ask questions and find out more about what living with HIV involves.”[Credits]This testimony was granted in 2005 to the Positive Living Handbook (page 16) and recorded in 2019 by Zambia Peace Corps Volunteer Adam Greenberg, Rural Aquaculture Promotion Extension Agent. Translation assistance by counterpart Ba Silver. Music by Adam Greenberg.Nyambe, thank you for sharing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hivpositivevoices.substack.com