AFRICA - Mozambique

Good gifts that keep on giving

When Virginia came to Maputo, Mozambique, she was all alone. Virginia was HIV-positive and cut-off from friends and neighbors at the most difficult time of her life.

At the first sign of symptoms, she was ostracized and left to fend for herself.

Virginia found a safe place in the urban slums of Maputo, where nearly everyone is infected with HIV or AIDS. It was in Maputo where she first met Beatrice.

Beatrice, a community nurse, began care for Virginia at home. She would help Virginia take medicine and make sure she was eating properly. She often brought Virginia a basket filled with nutritious food—including chicken and other protein-rich foods—to make sure that her medicine was as effective as possible.

In addition, volunteer community activists regularly visited Virginia at home to lend a listening ear and offer a word of prayer. These same activists are equipped to return to their communities and educate about HIV and AIDS— reducing stigma and sustaining life.

Today, Virginia is much healthier. She is walking, cooking, and taking part in other activities that are signs of hope and strength.