UGANDA - Beatrice knows firsthand the fear and uncertainty of women left widowed by AIDS. Her husband died, leaving her without any means to care for their tiny baby girl and young daughter. Her health began to fail, confirming what she had already suspected: she too was sick with HIV. Then she learned that both her little girls had HIV. Sick, poor, and completely alone, Beatrice was living every parent’s worst nightmare. She could not care for herself or her children, and because of her HIV, they inherited her terrible fate at birth.
Keep A Child Alive’s funding of a new free clinic, near her home gave Beatrice a chance to hope for the first time since her husband became sick. There, she was able to start on ARV treatment and begin treatment for her daughters. She was able to get food to feed her family and encouragement, love and support for their recovery. Soon, she was able to see a transformation taking place in their health, and her new strength led to optimism.
Today, Beatrice owns a small retail shop and is able to provide for her family. Her daughters continue to do well on their medication and now can enjoy the simple joys of being children. As leader of a support group for people with HIV, she uses her own story to show that there is a way out of despair and an open hand to gently guide the way.
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