Ma Swe (not her real name) is a peer educator of Pyi Gyi Khin’s HIV/AIDS project.

Ma Swe told of how the care and support she received has enabled her to continue making her living safely.

“My life was so miserable for a while that I didn’t take any interest in it, try to change it, or understand its meaning. I took life as it came and ended up selling sex for money to make a decent living. In those days, I was unaware of the risks of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV, hepatitis and other infections from unprotected sex and therefore never tried to protect myself.”

That was before she came to the Pyi Gyi Khin drop-in centre and became involved in the self-help group. The group provides a friendly social environment where she can share her personal issues, experiences, and get access to care and psychosocial support from sincere and friendly staff, and find solutions to problems together with her peers.

Ma Swe says her life has been greatly improved through her peer networking at Pyi Gyi Khin. “The trainings and health education on HIV prevention we received at Pyi Gyi Khin have enhanced our skills in condom negotiation and use, to protect ourselves from HIV. Our peer education work has in turn empowered us to get an income to support our families and be safe. Pyi Gyi Khin is the saviour of our women.”

Pyi Gyi Khin is implementing its project ‘Enhancing the quality of life of PLHIV 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 Region, Pakokku township in Magwe Region and Pathein and Maaupin townships in Ayeyarwaddy Region.