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HIV Awareness (3) Stories of the People Living with HIV

 The Field Practicum Class was scheduled to go at The United Methodist Church Headquarters in Ermita, Manila, on April 6, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 PM. The task prepared for us was to have a Focused Group Discussion or group interview with HIV patients.

 The trip from Taytay Rizal to Manila is more or less two hours. We rode a jeep going to Sta. Lucia and a train from Sta. Lucia to Recto and another train from Doroteo Jose to the United Nations and we walked to the headquarters. 

The session started with an introduction and brief discussion about HIV and AIDS and proceeded to the group interview. Three women were interviewed. The field practicum class has prepared a set of questions for the interview. Here are the following questions: 

● Gaano kahirap ang magkaroon ng HIV / AIDS? 

● Ano yung naramdaman mo nung nalaman mong may HIV ka? 

 ● Ano yung mga ginawa mo upang tulungan ang sarili mo na manatiling matatag? 

 ● Ano ang naramdaman mong pagbabago sa iyong physical na katawan simula noong nagkaroon ka ng HIV? 

● Ano ang natutunan mo mula sa iyong mga karanasan bilang HIV patients na siyang gusto mong malaman ng mga tao?

 ● Ano ang mga inaasahan ninyong pagbabago sa lipunan upang masuportahan ang mga taong may HIV?

● How can I, as a student, offer help and make an impact in the world for people living with HIV/AIDS? 

The interview was informative, personal, and emotional. These three ladies were — years being diagnosed as HIV patients. According to them, they had experienced discrimination, depression, isolation, and fear of death. They broke down when they knew they had HIV, they thought about death and felt hopeless. But when there is a treatment called antiretroviral therapy, they find hope to live longer. They are all thankful for the support that they are receiving from the organization called APWAI - Association of Positive Women Advocates Inc. Since they became members of this organization, they have found faith in Jesus, hope for life, and the purpose of life. They treasure their lives and are willing to dedicate their life to helping and supporting other HIV patients. They learned to support and love one another despite their differences and not being relative. The help that we can give is society's awareness about the disease, and to accept, love, respect, and support them in all the means we can. 

 My prayer is that God will help me to show my love in words and action for these vulnerable people. I hope all the people in the world learn to love and stop the hate. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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