Here is a World Vision story on Myanmar on their website.
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"I felt like I'd been given a death sentence."
When Banyar found out he was HIV positive, he felt as though his life was already over. Now he feels differently, and works hard to help others in the same situation maintain their hope and strength. Here, Banyar tells his story.
"My name is Banyar and I work as a postman in Mandalay. I found out that I had the HIV virus just as I was preparing to go and work in Malaysia. Before I could work abroad, I had to take a blood test.
There was a group of workers who had to take the blood test together with me. The blood test was done at a specialist clinic in Yangon and I can still remember the day that I was told the results of my test.
Inside the small book-lending shop Banyar's support group has opened. Profits go towards helping HIV positive people with medical and other costs.
It was July 11, 2002. When we went to get our results, we found out that six of us, including myself, had failed the test.
Until then, I had never imagined I would be a victim of the HIV virus. One by one my friends went into the doctor’s room to hear why they had failed the test.
When it came to my turn, the doctor first said some words of encouragement before saying, “Don’t panic too much, but we found that you have the HIV virus”.
When I heard these words I became frantic and began to sweat heavily. I thought I was going to die soon and felt like I had been given a death sentence.
Although I returned to my home and continued with my job, I constantly thought about this disease and was frightened all the time.
People who knew that I had this terrible disease avoided me and blamed me. I dared not keep their company any more and so spent most of my time in quiet places after work.
In particular I avoided my girlfriend. I could not bear to see her be infected by me. I loved her very much. Both of us had tried to work hard so that one day we could be married and live together. But now I was infected with this incurable disease.
It was so terrible. Having AIDS was one thing, but having to let go of my love was another.
At the same time, people began to whisper behind my back about my condition. It was worse when some of my close friends began to call me “Four Letters” (AIDS) and some started to look at me with contempt. Living in this bitter environment eventually drove me to just stay in bed.
But one day, I heard some encouraging news from a good friend about the work World Vision was doing. He took me to their office and the friendly welcome from the manager, Susanna, and other staff including Ko Saing and Soe Moe Win, made me forget all my bitter feelings.
Gradually, I was educated by staff about HIV/AIDS and how it can be prevented. Now I know about the disease, I am not frightened by it any more. I am now re-entering society after attending training sessions on care and counseling and HIV/AIDS awareness.
While I was attending these training sessions one thing struck me. Because I did as I pleased without having any knowledge of HIV/AIDS, I became infected with the disease. Therefore, I felt that it was my duty to tell other young men about it.
Some of us who are suffering from this disease have formed a self-help group called New Century Light and are helping each other by sharing and caring for one another.
Occasionally, some of us share our stories in prevention talks to groups in order to make young people more aware of the risks, so that they can avoid this disease. I myself have become more confident by sharing in this way.
Our group has opened up a book-lending shop, a bicycle–repair shop and pig-raising facilities to generate some income for people in our situation.
Not only that, a friend and I helped some HIV-positive patients in another project area of World Vision form a group.
For me, helping others is like a tonic. Therefore, in order to be able to help other patients like us, not only in our area but also in the world, in February we made an album of songs. One of my friends has contributed the lyrics.
We hope that by listening to the songs, people will understand us more and become more considerate. The thought that we have done something for others like this gives me a deep satisfaction and peaceful feeling."
http://wvasiapacific.org/hivandaids/myanmar-qi-felt-like-id-been-given-a-death-sentenceq.html
