NGOMA - The association of Genocide widows (AVEGA) has pledged to increase its support to widows living with HIV/AIDS in the province."We have helped them to live positively with the disease.

They can get antiretroviral drugs because our sponsors pay in advance. We shall do everything possible to keep them hopeful,” said Odette Kayirere, the provincial coordinator of AVEGA.

She noted that stigmatisation has reduced and the HIV positive individuals have learnt to live positively. 

"They continue to take the medication required and have agreed to change their lifestyles. They generally live a hopeful life.”

The widows living with the HIV/AIDS also say AVEGA has restored their hopes.

"I can’t have words to express my gratitude to AVEGA. I had lost hope after learning that I had contracted the virus.

I highly suspect the Interahamwe during the Genocide as being responsible for having passed on the virus to me,” Claudine Uwamahoro, 42, said.

Most of the widows have been sensitised on positive living and behaviour change.

"They have heeded to counsellors’ advices, which is very important to realise a change in the lives of people living with the virus,” Kayirere added.

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