Tackling Ethiopia's HIV stigma

08/04/08
    

Telling the pastor

In Ethiopia, people living with HIV/Aids are often subjected to discrimination, but some religious leaders have been working to overcome the stigma.

Meselech Mekuria did not know how to tell her pastor that she was HIV-positive, but one day after church he came up to her and they started talking.

Today neighbours support her with prayers, with food and with money, which they give to her through Pastor Alemaychu.

Shock

The religious leaders were sought out ahead of an Aids conference this week in Mexico by a group of charities including Cafod and its Ethiopian partner, the Ethiopian Interfaith Forum for Development, Dialogue and Action.

Yeshiwork Fantaw told her dad, Father Fantaw Amare, that she was HIV-positive in June 2005.

He was shocked at first, but soon came to understand.

"If she dies, we will die. If she gets sick, we will care for her. We will never stigmatise her," he says.
'Allah's words'

Sheikh Seid Ahmed is 31 years old and preaches at the Anwar mosque in Woledi.

Every 15 days he preaches on HIV/Aids in a community forum outside the mosque.

"During the open-forum, I teach people to visit HIV patients by teaching them Allah's words."

When Sara Mohammed found out that she was HIV-positive, she told Sheikh Seid.

With his support, she has become a member of an Orthodox and Muslim leadership team speaking to young people about HIV/Aids issues.

Comfort

Father Tsegaye Tesfu and Atsede Abreha have known each other for 12 years, describing themselves as spiritual father and daughter.

"I was told at first that I had tuberculosis, and took medication four times for that," says Ms Atsede.

"Eventually I knew that I was HIV-positive. When he knew that I was sick, Father Tsegaye visited me."

"He has comforted me many times," says Ms Atsede, who now runs a small shop. "I am happy because he brought me closer to the church.
'Not a sin'

Selamawit Kasay is a 24-year-old mother of one. When she found out her status, she and her husband were afraid to talk to their priest.

"Selamawit is a very religious person," says Father Yitbarek Tekelechaimanot, the administrator of an Orthodox church in Adigrat.

Along with colleagues from the Muslim, Orthodox and Catholic faiths, he set up an organisation to teach people about the virus.

He says: "We should help people without discrimination. The virus is not a sin."

Insulted

Aysah Assefa and Haji Mohamad Toha live about an hour's walk apart. Ms Aysah's husband - an imam and a farmer - died four years ago.

"Sheikh Mohammed advised me to get tested when my husband died. I felt insulted at first… When my health deteriorated, I decided to get tested."

She was diagnosed as HIV-positive.

"He visits me at home once or twice a week, to ask how we are doing, and to make sure that I am taking my medicines. I see him like a father."
Food help

Getu Wake is the chairman of the Meserete Christos Church in Adami Tulu, and headed the region's HIV bureau for two years.

Yeshi was one of 260 parents supported by a church project. She was one of those who tested HIV-positive, and was willing to go public.

The church provides grains and oils, and Mr Getu supplements this with some meat.

"This could have happened to anyone," he says. "As a religious leader I have to be there for people with HIV."

Sunday school

Gebremedhin Ayalew is a Sunday school teacher at Maychew Church who regularly speaks to his congregation about getting an HIV test.

Most do, but do not tell Mr Gebremedhin their status. Mulugeta Sisay, a 31-year-old farmer who now heads an association of 130 people living with HIV, was one who did.

"I tell Mulugeta that life with HIV is possible," says Mr Gebremedhin.

"A lot of people living with the virus are afraid that they might be stigmatized if they come out."

Imam

Sheikh Adem Hassen, found out he was HIV-positive in 2003.

He started the Baii Association of People Living with HIV and Aids with two other HIV-positive imams. He met Ijigayehu Mekonnen when her son was ill.

She says: "When my son was sick, Sheikh Adem collected from the association to provide me with 100 birr ($10, £5) a month. Now that my son is dead, Sheikh Adem has never stopped visiting me."

Photos by Michael Tsegay and Antonio Fiorente, courtesy of Cafod.