She says her dreams and hopes were shattered with the diagnosis; “At one point I even contemplated to commit suicide as living was no longer important to me. I knew my children would be well taken care of by their grandmother.’’

Janet, a mother of two, had to cope with a period when HIV was considered a death sentence and stigmatization was the order of the day.

“During this period people had less knowledge on HIV/AIDS, therefore telling someone or a family member that you are HIV positive was not in the picture as they would treat you like a plague,” she explains.

Her only consolation was alcohol and would sometimes get raped by strangers and not pay much attention as she was drunk to even recognize that she was sexually assaulted.

Despite the diagnosis coming as a terrible, fearful shock to Janet, she decided to confide to a friend about her status who introduced her to Bar Hostess Empowerment Support Program(BHESP) PLHIV support group.

Today Janet’s self-assurance and resolve have come slowly over time and she has vowed not to let her HIV diagnosis stand in the way of living her life thanks to support group sessions she has been attending at BHESP.

“Through the support group, I have learned on the importance of drug adherence and maintaining a healthy diet to cope with the drugs. I have also learned how to practice safe sex to avoid re-infection and other sexually transmitted diseases,” explains Janet who is now a very active member of the PLHIV support group.

Today Janet is living a healthy life and has taken the responsibility of holding health talks with her peers within Kariobangi explaining the importance of accepting their condition and benefits of adherence.   

“I also visit various hotspots to distribute condoms and talk to the young girls on the importance of practicing safe sex and even getting to know their status at an early stage,” she concludes.