Is there horror in the lives of these women?
Jamie
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Lending a hand to women living with HIV
Lae Phyu Pya Myo Myint
Myanmar Times
Friday, 09 September 2016
The beauty and sweetness of the dolls belie the horror in the lives of the women who make them. Those cute Nilar dolls you can buy at Pomelo or Hla Day are handmade by women living with HIV-AIDS.
In most cases, the women were infected by their husbands, most of whom have since died of the disease. Most have children to support. Though in some respects, thanks to medication, they live normal lives, they have to see the doctor regularly and are vulnerable to infection.
Action for the Public (AFP) has helped these women improve their lives by enabling them to hone their skills and providing them with jobs.
Established in 2008, AFP was initially supported by donor contributions, but since 2010 it has emerged as an independent NGO in its own right.
“We help our workers, who live with HIV-AIDS, lead regular lives,” said the group’s founder, Ma Kyi Pyar Chit Saw. “They work a regular day, arriving in the morning and going home in the evening. Over the years, some have left, but many of those come back to us.
AFP provides vocational training in sewing and money for the bus fare so they can get to work until they can earn enough money by themselves, selling their wares at Mingalar Market. At first, earnings were scanty. But in 2010, Ulla Kroeber, who founded the Yangon social enterprise Pomelo, took a hand training the workers in the design of Myanmar traditional costumes to market standard and exhibiting the results in Pomelo and Hla Day. Now, 80 percent of the profits go to the workers, enough to meet their daily needs.
One of them, Daw Aye Aye Maw, said, “When I found out I was infected, in 2006, I felt ashamed. I have three daughters to look after, so it was a struggle. The doctors gave me ART medication and I have to see them regularly. Now that I’ve found the AFP group, I’m part of a group of likeminded women who understand what I’m going through.”
Ma Moe Thida, also a mother of three, said, “I was shocked when I discovered I was HIV-positive. Two of my daughters are also infected. They couldn’t manage without me, so I do my best for them. My new job allows me to take care of me or my family.”
The women rely entirely on the proceeds from the sales of their Nilar dolls to support themselves and their families, and to pay for their essential medication.
Anyone wishing to gain more information or to help can contact Pomelo, Hla Day or the head office of Action for the Public, at 46B Kaya Thukha Ahpyin Road, Mingaladon township, Yangon.
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/lifestyle/22394-lending-a-hand-to-women-living-with-hiv.html
