Ko Hla Htay (not his real name), a beneficiary from the HIV/AIDS project in Pathein would like to tell how staff from Pyi Gyi Khin's HIV/AIDS project has enabled him to live a meaningful life.
"As I am writing my story, I am working as a school teacher like any normal person. Much as I enjoy my work, I am really grateful for being able to work as a teacher and train so many bright students who will shape the future of our country. The readers may want to know why — for I am infected with a deadly virus called HIV, which is feared by all for there is no cure yet!
"It was my turning point in life. My health started to deteriorate and I had so many frequent episodes of illness one after another that I was finally hospitalized. From my hospital record, I learnt that my frequent illnesses were due to a weakened immunity in my body from HIV infection.
"The responsible physicians and my family doctor immediately came to my help giving me psychosocial support and counselling but I felt like being separated from them and the rest of the world and I could not concentrate on any of what they said.
"My only thought in my mind at that time was that all people with AIDS die a terrible death from disfiguring skin infections all over the body. Thus, after my discharge from the hospital, I had no more courage to face my terrible fate and my only thought was to escape the unbearable and I attempted so many times to leave this world behind.
"My family doctor tried to help me in all possible ways and suggested me to contact Pyi Gyi Khin office in Pathein where they are implementing an HIV/AIDS project to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
"I am grateful to the counsellors and caregivers from Pyi Gyi Khin's HIV/AIDS project who explained with patience that people with HIV can live a normal life just like any other people, along with the ways of transmission of HIV and common misconceptions about HIV — how it cannot be transmitted — and the available treatment for HIV/AIDS and efficacy of ART (Antiretroviral Therapy).
"I regularly visited the clinic of Pyi Gyi Khin's HIV/AIDS project in Pathein for check-ups and collecting prophylactic medications. When my health started to fail, the doctor explained that I should be started on ART and I attended regular counselling sessions.
"Until the time I was actually started on ART, I dared not dream that I would be living a normal life once again. The counsellors and caregivers from Pyi Gyi Khin stood by me and gave me courage to withstand so many criticizing remarks by people in the society.
"They explained with patience until I could understand about living with HIV, and coping with and surviving illnesses from the OIs (Opportunistic Infections). In the beginning, it was not so easy to get used to a daily routine of taking ART — always taking care not to miss out any doses at appropriate times — and coping with the side effects and my CD4 level was quite low at the ART initiation.
"As days, months, and years on ART passed by, my feeling of despair and desire to leave the world behind began to fade away. I gradually regained my self-esteem, confidence and meaning in my life, which was reconfirmed by the result of my latest CD4 check — that I would be living a normal healthy life once again.
"As my CD4 level has significantly improved from the time I started ART, so is my health — I do not suffer any more from frequent illnesses that I used to have.
"I greatly enjoy my job working with many students and can work peacefully as a normal school teacher for I no longer have to battle with illnesses because of ART and the continuous support I received from the staff of the Pyi Gyi Khin's HIV/AIDS project and my family doctor — to all of whom I owe my life.
"I can now confidently say that my tomorrows will always be meaningful. I have more time to concentrate on religious practices and I pray for all those living with HIV that they too have meaningful tomorrows."
Pyi Gyi Khin has been implementing its HIV/AIDS project "Enhancing the quality of life of PLHA through ART provision, psychosocial support, home based care and increased access to prevention services among MSM/SWs" in Aung Ban and Shwe Nyaung townships in Southern Shan State, Myingyan township in Mandalay Division, Pakokku township in Magwe Division and Pathein and Maaupin townships in Ayeyarwaddy Division.
