At 55, Janice found herself at a crossroads when she was referred to Alive Medical Services after testing positive for HIV. Filled with despair, she thought her life was over. But through the compassionate care and support of Alive Medical Services, Janice received comprehensive treatment for HIV and other opportunistic infections, without having to worry about the cost. Gradually, her life found stability, but there was one persistent challenge access to clean drinking water. Living in a community where clean water was a scarce resource, Janice faced the constant struggle of relying on a single well that often ran dry during the sweltering summer months. Left with no choice, she would either collect rainwater or travel long distances to neighboring villages to fetch water. Boiling water to make it safe was not only expensive but also time-consuming and impractical for someone already stretched thin. “If I could barely afford charcoal or firewood to cook food, how was I supposed to spend extra just to boil water?” Janice recalls. “It was exhausting, and with children running around, there was always the risk of accidents while waiting for the water to cool. I desperately wished for a modern solution that could make our lives easier.” That solution came in the form of water purification supplies supported by The Children Safe Drinking Water by P&G , offered through Alive Medical Services. Janice, like many others, was skeptical at first but intrigued by the promise of these small, seemingly magical sachets. Along with her kit complete with two buckets, a mixing stick, and a cloth filter, Janice received her first supplies of water purification sachets. Determined to make it work, she took the time to learn how to use the sachets and explain their benefits to her family and skeptical neighbors. “Slowly but surely, everyone started to see the difference. The water was clearer, cleaner, and safe to drink in just a short amount of time. It wasn’t just about convenience it saved my family and some of my neighbors from the financial burden of finding clean drinking water,” Janice shared with a smile. “We marveled at how such a small sachet could do so much.” With clean water now readily available, Janice and her family no longer worry about falling ill from contaminated water sources. Her children can attend school without fear of waterborne diseases, and the overall quality of life in her household has drastically improved. “Our lives have changed for the better. Having access to clean water has taken away one of our biggest challenges, and it has made such a difference, especially for me, while managing my HIV treatment,” Janice explained. “We are healthier and happier, and I feel a new sense of hope.” The water purifiers have revolutionized households like Janice’s, showing that even simple innovations can make a world of difference in the lives of rural communities. Alive Medical Services is grateful for all our donors helping us to provide these life-changing water purifiers to many vulnerable individuals living with HIV, ensuring they have access to clean drinking water. “I have no more excuses,” Janice says. “Alive Medical Services has done an incredible job of keeping me and my family healthy. I am forever grateful.” This story highlights the power of innovation and partnership in addressing critical needs, showing how access to clean water can uplift entire communities, one sachet at a time.
In most cases, HIV infection in infants and children is passed down from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. In general, physical symptoms of HIV in children include growth failure, various infections of varying severity, wasting, abdominal swelling, skin rashes, and so on.4-year-old Emmanuel was born HIV positive and contracted the virus from his mother during birth. Emmanuel's father was always in tears, worried about his son’s health and survival. He had a bloated abdomen, which was a sign of severe malnutrition and dehydration. Emmanuel's parents split after he was diagnosed with HIV, and his father was terrified of losing his first child to AIDS. Emmanuel's father wasted no time in doing everything in his power to save his son's life. He was also urged to get tested for HIV, and fortunately, he tested negative. Emmanuel's father was counselled, and the baby was admitted to the paediatric ward for immediate treatment of his symptoms. Emmanuel's father was filled with anxiety and questions in his mind: would his son survive? This was his first child. Will he be able to regain his health and play and laugh like any other child? Will he be able to go to school? He was distressed. Emmanuel was readmitted to the hospital a week later, and despite the antiretroviral drugs he was given, he had not improved. He was much weaker and had a severe cough. A GeneXpert test was ordered for the family and taken to Alive Medical Services. A GeneXpert test is a widely used diagnostic test for tuberculosis. Since they were impressed with the customer care and services at Alive Medical Services (AMS), Emmanuel’s father decided to enroll him in care at AMS after the Tuberculosis treatment. Emmanuel's father was encouraged to stick with his son's treatment and not give up. As his son was undergoing various treatments, the health workers always assured and encouraged him about his child’s wellbeing. Despite Emmanuel’s father’s challenges as a single parent, he is grateful to Alive Medical Services and our donors, because his son is now doing well. He now knows that his beloved son will live and have the opportunity to attend school, live in good health, and pursue.
Drinking clean water can reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea and cholera, which are common in developing countries. Because people living with HIV have compromised immune systems and this makes them more susceptible to infections, access to clean drinking water reduces the risk of waterborne diseases, which can be particularly dangerous for their weakened immunity. 65-year-old “Alex” has been in Alive Medical Services’ care since 2011. Because of the city’s high cost of living, Alex faced a new challenge when he moved back to the village where clean drinking water was scarce. Because people living with HIV have a relatively weakened immune system, Alex needed to avoid waterborne illnesses. Alive Medical Services has always prioritized the distribution of P&G water because it is designed to remove harmful bacteria and viruses, including those that cause cholera and typhoid. Through the regular health talks offered by the health workers every morning at the facility, Alex decided to try it out of desperation as he always faced stomach aches. “Using this water purifier has become part of my daily routine, one sachet making 10 liters for me to use daily has saved my finances. Over time, I have even noticed I don’t get the stomach aches, which I always mistook as ulcers. My health has stabilized and I have gained more confidence in the purifier, in our local language we call it water guard.” One of the things that excites Alex while at the facility, is that whenever he is here, the water used during the demonstration is usually left for anyone who would love to quench their thirst as they wait to be seen by the doctor. Beyond health benefits, using the purifier became a symbol of resilience for Alex. It wasn't just about clean water; it represented his determination to live a full life despite living with HIV and getting older. Because of the partnership P&G made with Alive Medical Services, people living with HIV just like Alex have realized the profound impact of access to clean water on health outcomes. Because of your support, Alive Medical Services has provided essential resources like water purification to empower them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. Thank you for being a vital part of our community and for believing in our mission. Such acts of kindness give us hope that we are moving steps closer to a world where everyone living with HIV has access to the care and support they need.
In the streets of Namuwongo, *Cissy* and *Rogers* found love in each other's arms. They share dreams, aspirations, and a deep bond like any other couple. However their relationship faced an added complexity, Cissy is HIV-positive, while Rogers is HIV-negative. Despite this, they embraced their love and embarked on a journey together.Cissy, having experienced the stigma surrounding HIV, understood the challenges of disclosure, especially for women. She knew the fear of rejection and discrimination that often accompanied revealing one's HIV status. Determined to make a difference and live in honesty, she sought support from the professional counselors of Alive Medical Services who assisted her in disclosing to her partner Rogers. Alive Medical Services has created a safe space for people living with HIV especially women who can find support and guidance in disclosing their status to their partners. While here, they have sought advice and encouragement to have a happy and healthy life. As the counselors supported Cissy because she feared rejection and abandonment, Rogers was disclosed to and to Cissy’s surprise and relief, he responded with love and acceptance, expressing his unwavering commitment to their relationship.Inspired by Cissy and Rogers’ story several women have found the strength to disclose their status to their partners. Some encounter challenges but they have found reassurance and guidance from the counselors. Alive Medical Services is not just a health facility but has become a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of HIV disclosure.From the day Cissy disclosed to Rogers, the couple has been overjoyed to see the positive impact of this initiative and have been together for 3 years now. Through their dedication and compassion, they have created a beacon of hope for HIV-positive women, empowering them to embrace their truth and acceptance in relationships. As Cissy faithfully adheres to her medication and is supported by Rogers, the couple has proved that love knows no bounds and with support and understanding, anything is possible.
When *Marita* was diagnosed with HIV during her antenatal appointment at 5 weeks, she was shocked and startled because she had no HIV-related signs or symptoms. “I was feeling fine and I didn’t exhibit any signs or symptoms neither did my partner,” Marita said. “When I sat down with the nurse, she said comforting words and she mostly told me that my next choice of living healthy would be for my baby’s sake.” Marita was advised to disclose to her partner as soon as she could so that he would get tested immediately and if found positive, both of them would support one another to start their medication and adhere as directed by the health workers. Sadly, when Marita disclosed to her partner, he instead put the blame on her referring to her as a prostitute, and also went ahead and denied the pregnancy, as a result, the two separated. Though disappointed by this result, Marita tried to stay strong for the sake of her child. She was introduced to the EMTCT care unit at Alive Medical Services. She got a chance to meet mothers in the care unit who shared with her all their testimonies of the possibilities of having a healthy HIV-negative baby. “Meeting the mothers helped me a lot, I got more strength and I can’t wait to meet my little one on that day. I met an interesting mother who mentioned that she has had 5 of her babies very healthy under the care of Alive Medical Services. I mean, this was my home now, what else was I looking for? If I could be like them, my life wouldn’t need to change.” Nevertheless, Marita accepted the situation with grace and was prepared to face her fears because she had been offered counseling, her fears of passing the virus to her child had subsided, and she was prepared to follow the health worker's advice. “The nurses and counselors have followed up on me from the time I was diagnosed. When I come for my appointments, the scan is done and I am always updated on the health of my baby. I am now strong; I can’t wait to meet my little one. Some days are hard but my baby needs me to be strong and I also have the health workers where who treat us with love and dignity. And the good news is I am going to breastfeed my baby.” Marita excitingly shares. Through Alive Medical Services' Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission program, the organization aims to support expectant moms like Marita in leading normal lives and giving birth to healthy, HIV-free children. The facility has not registered an HIV-positive mother who could infect the infant in its care since 2013. Because of the opportunities to offer comprehensive prenatal and postnatal services to women living with HIV, all of this has been successful.
After testing positive for HIV in 2008, 45-year-old *Phoebe* lived in denial for years until joining Alive Medical Services in 2015. She was in the lowest of her moments and her family believed she was about to die when she arrived at Alive Medical Services. For the first time in her life, Phoebe recalls that she felt loved because to her she was in a stigma-free facility. “I was in a critical condition, everyone who gazed at me almost gave me their last respects before it was too late for them. I saw it on their faces. However, when I was taken to the counselor’s room, at first, she smiled which made me wonder if she was happy that I was finally going to die, but these were her words, ‘Hey Phoebe, you are welcome’, I immediately felt an internal peace and I knew I was going to live. They made me feel how important I was.” Everyone who walks into Alive Medical Services is treated the same and uniquely, Phoebe was given the right advice she needed and she promised herself to follow all of what she was told. The counselors provided her with personalized advice tailored to her specific needs. They recommended a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy to address her health concerns and improve her overall well-being. “It is usually the most difficult to kick alcohol addiction, but I promised myself to never do it again for my family's sake. I trusted Alive Medical Services more than anyone else. The only thing that will separate us is when I am called by the Lord to go with him." Phoebe shares her story with pride, vibrancy, and confidence because she calls herself a winner. She has won life; she has won health and she has won HIV because Alive Medical Services stood with her through the worst days and health challenges. The facility has provided Phoebe with comprehensive medical care, including regular check-ups, medication, and counselling. They have also offered emotional support, empowering her to overcome the challenges of living with HIV and helping her achieve a healthy and fulfilling life. “Over time, I want people to see me as a testimony and that my story will touch many in different ways and I know attitudes will change. I felt the consequences of my long period of denial. People should not see us as outcasts but rather as healthy and deserving of love and respect just as Alive Medical Services demonstrates.” Phoebe looks back on her journey and she has realized that the power of change lies in the hands of those who choose to embrace a situation. By weaving together, the threads of hope, compassion, and understanding, Alive Medical Services has helped create a world where people living with HIV live free from any other opportunistic infections and challenges of living with HIV.
Today, over 1000 young people are living with HIV in Alive Medical Services’ care. *Veronica began receiving care at Alive Medical Services in 2012 at the age of 11. Veronica tells her tale of overcoming adversity and pursuing her future goals. Veronica is the only sibling out of three who is HIV positive, and they all encourage her to take her medication as directed. Growing up, Veronica was usually a cheerful and joyful child, but then she suddenly fell ill. She was incredibly unwell in 2009 and was taken to the hospital right away, where she had to stay for two weeks. It was there that she was tested for HIV and found to be positive. Because this news was a shock to Veronica’s mother, the nurse at the hospital tried to interrogate her to find out if she had undergone any strange incident. Veronica reported to the nurse that she was one time raped by her uncle, a brother to her mother while she was 7; “this happened when I was in primary 2 and I believe I was about 7 years”. Her uncle was currently offering family support to their family and since she was a young girl, she felt like he had the right to do anything; so, he lured her with sweets and money. “I remember they were just a few coins, and as a child, I was excited of course.” On hearing this, Veronica’s mother was shocked, afraid, and disappointed when she heard that her brother raped his niece and always took advantage. She was worried that her child was going to take medication for the rest of her life. Veronica, at a young age, was taken through about HIV at the moment she was diagnosed. “I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel, because I recall being told that I had HIV, but I don’t remember crying, I thought it was like a temporary sickness like headache or malaria. It’s like I wanted to tell her OKAY! because I knew nothing about HIV.” Veronica has experienced life and health turbulences, especially around discrimination even the thought of giving up on school and medication as a child which led her viral load to go up, but she decided that she would be different and help others like her to do the same and live a normal life and today, Veronica has grown up to become a responsible young lady who put HIV at the back of her dreams because she knew she was just as normal as any other person. Veronica has been on medication for almost 10 years now and she is virally suppressed thanks to the comprehensive services offered by Alive Medical Services. “My family has always been supportive even up to today throughout my struggles of anxiety, though I always have those days where I want to cry, sometimes I do cry…… but my mother always gives me room to share with her about my worries, and thanks to her, I have been waving through, especially with the self-stigma that I had within myself. And perhaps, Alive Medical Services’ Victor’s club has been inspiring me throughout. They have made my life easier; I mean look at Edith, she is conquering the moon, and she always says she is MAD (Making A Difference). For the first time, I attended the youth day, I had the mindset that I was the only one living with HIV in the whole of Uganda, but when I came to Alive Medical Services, young people had the vibe of life and I felt at home.” Veronica managed to complete high school and proceeded to a vocational training institute, where she studied catering and successfully graduated. She is now supporting adolescents at Alive Medical Services under the Young People and Adolescent Peer Supporters (YAPs) program where she encourages them through support groups to keep adhering to their medications so that they stay well and live healthy lives. This is also incorporated with the provision of SRHR information to the most vulnerable so that they can access services as it is their right. She has challenged the stigma and discrimination that still surround HIV and has spoken about living with HIV openly and she says being a YAPS has been transformational, in addition to supporting self-testing of adolescents in the communities. Because she has witnessed the damage that AIDS is causing to society, Veronica says she has a greater appreciation for life and is determined to stop it all. She has engaged with schools to inform them about sexual reproductive health and rights in addition to HIV since she takes her responsibility in battling HIV in society seriously. “I want to live because there are so many things that I want to achieve in life for myself and the people around me. I have seen and faced stigma which makes me want to see young people living with HIV study and get good grades, I want to see them happy and healthy, I want to see them work in the best jobs and I want to see a stigma-free society where we all live in harmony.” Veronica is an example of a powerful girl who has shown the world that she is just a simple girl who has grown up to conquer HIV and she is beating the odds by proving everyone wrong as opposed to the latter years about HIV in the 90s and how it left so many young children orphans. Veronica is making efforts to help other adolescents and children living with HIV become the best versions of themselves and interacting with other youth who comply with recommended health guidelines greatly boosts the confidence of other adolescents living with HIV and sets a good standard for drug adherence. She initiates psycho-social support sessions on HIV/AIDs in the community including schools to transform the mindset and break the stigma and discrimination surrounding it. “I am just getting started”.
75-year-old Nampiima speaks with joy and excitement about Alive Medical Services. Whenever she comes for her appointment, everyone at the facility is mesmerized by her zeal and yearn to live more life. Her adherence to ARVS has suppressed her HIV viral load beyond detection for more than 15 years. Yes, she is virally suppressed and undetected. Sadly, Nampiima lost her husband and 4 of her children to HIV and she takes every day as an opportunity to rejoice other than feel sad about the existence of HIV. Nampiima doesn’t look at HIV as a challenge to living long to this age, she sees it as an opportunity to inspire and refer more people to Alive Medical Services to start their medication and live even beyond the age she is right now. “When I tell the doctors that I come all the way from Natete, about 11km to Alive Medical Services, they are astonished about it, look at me and I see them thinking that there’s no way I always come by myself” When Nampiima is on appointment, she leaves everyone full of laughter because of her humorous kind of nature at her age as she entertains everyone with her powerful testimony of living positively with HIV until her age. She comes to the clinic full of life, hope, and energy to live and see the next day. Despite her old age, Nampiima sparkles and thanks Alive Medical Services passionately for protecting her life. Her sincere gratitude also extends to the healthcare staff at the facility, who consistently provide support, encouragement, and a warm welcome. Without the kindness and dignity she experiences while at Alive Medical Services, she often wonders what would have become of her life. "I know I am a living testimony for all people, thanks to the doctors at Alive Medical Services for saving my life, and I will continue to share my situation to encourage those around me. I am sure even those who are negative can pick something from my life right now”. Her appreciation for Alive Medical Services is unstoppable, she gives a deep sigh to tell how she feels about the clinic she now calls home. “It’s thanks to the different programs Alive Medical Services has like psychosocial support that keeps me going every day and keeps inspiring me. Each day that goes by, I get to help another person live a healthy, positive life and I think every person living with HIV should adhere to their treatment so that they can get to live life longer just like myself.” Because of the different support Alive Medical Services receives, the facility has become a one-stop-centre that provides the one "safe place and state-of-the-art services" for over 13,000 people living with HIV just like Nampiima with the goal of reviving hope for longer and healthier lives for all vulnerable key populations in the community.
21-year-old *Christina joined Alive Medical Services in 2011 while she was still a little girl. Christina recalls being transferred from another facility to Alive Medical Services as taking daily medication was her routine. Christina was orphaned to AIDS which took both her parents transferred to Watoto Child Care organization that takes care of vulnerable children mostly those living with HIV. “I clearly don’t remember how I joined Watoto, but it was my aunt who took me there when my remaining parent died. I don’t recall the process.” Just like any 10-year-old in school who is told AIDs kills, Christina knew the reason why she was taking medication, and this brought a lot of self-stigma within her. “When I was at home, I would act like I am strong and so, but when I reached school, it was the vice versa because I saw how AIDS slowly took away my parents and I thought I was heading the same direction. Taking medication wasn’t so important to me so I always found a way to pretend, collect the tablets and find a way to throw it without anyone noticing.” When Christina was brought to Alive Medical Services for her first visit, she was not convinced when she was told by the counselor that there were more children just like her and doing well. “The first time I came, I only saw adults, so it was not easy for me to get in line until I was connected to the youth days.” The youth days at Alive Medical Services are days specified for adolescents, children, and young people living with HIV. These days are designated to assist young people with adherence and live a stigma-free and healthy life. Today Christina celebrates over 10 years of positive living and health. She currently completed an administration short course and works as a data entrant. Christina applauds Alive Medical Services and thanks them for getting her out of the box of self-stigma and realizing her potential. “Alive Medical Services follows you up, they don’t give up, sometimes you get tired of their calls, but they will still find a way to reach out to you. If someone who isn’t your family does that, don’t take it for granted. The young people around are friendly, I have gotten mentors and every day a look up to them. HIV is not labeled anywhere on me unless I tell you I have it.”
16-year-old Mark who is living with HIV has been receiving his medications from Alive Medical Services for the past four years, starting when he was 12 years old. When Mark was only 4 years old, both of his parents passed away from AIDS, leaving his grandma to raise him. “I have been taking my medications to make me better and I have to take them every day to make sure I do not get sick. I just occasionally have a headache or a cold; I don't get sick too often. I am also capable of participating in all the activities my peers undertake, including playing football and participating in certain theatre projects.” As a teenager, Mark has learned to keep it a secret to himself at school by remaining active so that he is not forced to tell his peers about his medical condition. He has been taking his medicine faithfully, as evidenced by the viral load testing performed every six months. He is virally suppressed and he is undetectable. "I am blessed to have supportive family members, like my grandmother and aunt, who always give me reminders of who I am and who I can be in the world and they constantly motivate me to realize my full potential. By the way, I play soccer well, and I want to use that gift to achieve more.” Mark is enthusiastic about the future and does not see HIV as a barrier to his life goals. He aspires to be a pharmacist and believes he should serve as an example of how to use medication correctly. “At Alive Medical Services, I like all the nurses and doctors there, they give me medication free of charge, they understand me as a young teenager, and push me to my life goals. As a young teenager who is looking into getting a family someday, I am educated about sexual reproductive health and having a safe relationship when that time comes. I am not really in a rush to have a family; I desire to do it the right way and at the right time.” “I want to show young people living with HIV that we should put HIV aside and concentrate on the next steps of life. We are not any different from anyone else we live around.” As a young man growing into a young adult and living with HIV, Mark has had challenges as well and it hasn’t been a perfect ride. But today, because of the kindness of donors and supporters like you, Mark is getting the medical care, food, and emotional support he needs to flourish as he pursues his aspirations. Alive Medical Services works in over 30 districts around the country and strives to be there for young people living with HIV just like Mark, offering prevention, comprehensive care, treatment and support while helping educate them along with their families to keep supporting them. The facility is creating a world in which children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS can live healthy and free. Just like Mark, they can live positively and productively without any fear of any forms of stigma and discrimination.
HOW LAURA AND HER BABY GOT HEALTHY AGAIN THROUGH GOOD INFORMATION AND QUALITY HIV SERVICES INCLUDING ANTI RETROVIRAL TREATMENT FROM ALIVE MEDICAL SERVICES. “My name is Laura, I live in Kibuli, Uganda and I am a 47-year-old with 5 children. I joined Alive Medical Services in 2010 when I had just given birth. Before then, I got tested in Owino Market where I work and this is when I was receiving antenatal care. One of my colleagues, Susan, at the market got concerned about my well-being and asked me what was going on. I confided in her and shared that I was HIV positive but not on ARVS.She just looked at me with a smile, and said “Laura nange ndi ku ddagala” meaning” Laura, I am also on treatment”! That statement changed my life! I realized that instead of thinking I am a victim, I could also resume ARVS and be well. I realized I have to take responsibility by facing HIV, understanding it, and dealing with it by taking the ARVS. Susan advised me to come to Alive Medical Services (AMS) where she gets her treatment and since then, we have been taking our ARVS, and we are both happy and healthy. Thank you, Alive Medical Services, for the love, care, and support you give all of us. We are all treated equally. Every health worker I have come across treats us with love and patience, they respond to all our questions and consultations, and they work on us faster. I don’t usually take a lot of time when I am at AMS. My family and I are living happy and healthy lives. Thank you so much, may God bless you in wealth AMS. Thank you.”
Maybe if that day my mother never got ill and didn’t get us worried to the point that she needed professional medical attention; I would be dead.” *Claire’s story24-year-old Claire and a mother of one was diagnosed with HIV while at the hospital next to her mother’s death bed while attending to her. Claire tested positive for HIV and is currently on medication. Prior to her diagnosis, Claire never presented any signs; however, her mother was sick for a while and she was taken to the hospital for professional help. Several tests were done on her mother, and she was discovered to have been infected by HIV.“That is how nicely the nurses advised me to test. I was about 13 and I knew what AIDS was.”Claire was tested, and her result was positive. “I felt a lot of panic, not remembering when I was engaged with a man, (that’s what we were told in school).” Claire was sat down and explained to by the health workers the possibility that she contracted the virus from her mother.“I was so confused because I didn’t have any signs on my body, nor did I feel sick. The doctors didn’t want to take a 13-year-old into that science. However, they advised us to start medication and referred us to a clinic they knew, Alive Medical Services it was!”She was started on Septrin to prevent opportunistic infections as she didn’t qualify to start ART at that time. Unfortunately, Claire’s mother died three months later, and she started staying with her aunt.“I knew I was still young, but I requested my aunt to talk for me to start medication immediately, after all, I was still going to take it even if I took years. All I thought about was death and I didn’t want to die.”Claire has since been on ART for 10 years now, she is a mother of one and in a discordant healthy relationship.“Thanks to the Alive Medical Services system, I am counseled every time I come, my child is healthy, just look at this little thing. My partner is healthy and supportive, he is faithfully taking PrEP and he has no problem about it. They have helped me have a healthy family. Thank you, Alive Medical Services, for all your work, your regular testing that keeps us alive indeed.”Alive Medical Services offers comprehensive care, treatment, and support to HIV-positive patients in the community and works across Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts, to create a world in which families can live free from HIV infection. Just like Claire who was affected by HIV and AIDS can live positively, and productively in society.
Aggrey, a man in his early forties and living with HIV only came to know his status in August of 2018 after he realized that he could no longer do any kind of work by himself due to excessive body weakness. He then decided to visit Alive Medical Services following the advice of his mother who is also a client at Alive Medical Services. Aggrey decided to start his journey by testing for Tuberculosis (TB) and later HIV/AIDS where both tests turned out positive. “I wasn’t very shocked with the results and I knew that both could be dealt with. I had witnessed the care that my mother has been receiving over the years and how she was nursed back to health, so I knew that I would be okay,” Aggrey recounted. After receiving counselling from the counsellors, he immediately started off with his antiretroviral treatment. The father of three recalls that he has never relapsed as far as coming back for treatment is concerned because of the care and love extended to him all the times he comes and not to mention the free services. He comes for his monthly check-ups since August 2018. Aggrey wears a smile as he explains the changes in his life from the time he was enrolled for treatment. For the six months, he has been receiving treatment, he has been able to get back to work and provide for his three children in order to put them through school. As a man in his early forties, he believes that he can see his children through school into adulthood and has no fear of them finding out about his status and plans on disclosing to them when they are older and can decipher this information better. Clients like Aggrey are given hope to live more fulfilled and productive lives just like anyone else regardless of their status, mainly due to your unwavering support and donations extended to AMS. To reach more men like him, please follow the link below to donate. Every bit counts in ensuring an HIV-free generation!
*Harriet, 52, lives in the slums of Bombo town, Luweero district, Uganda, with her three grandchildren. She learned she was HIV positive in 2013 at a time when HIV infected people were still shunned by their families, friends and the community. It started when Harriet's health started to deteriorate due to ongoing body pain, numerous health difficulties, and challenges common among women living with HIV. This compelled her to confide in one of her sisters whom she believed could assist her. “My sister told me about Alive Medical Services (AMS) and assured me that they would assist me. I guess she suspected I had HIV. I tested HIV positive at AMS and was well counselled and encouraged and I chose not to blame the person who had infected me, but rather focused on looking after my health. This responsibility made me stronger, and Alive Medical Services also assisted me in achieving my goal.” says Harriet. The comprehensive services offered by Alive Medical Services helped her keep healthy, informed and safe. Harriet sees multiple specialists from doctors to counsellors all with in a single clinic setting. Through Alive Medical Services, Harriet has learned that you can live with HIV, you just need to take care of yourself. “Life is worth living, and I am no longer a victim, I am an overcomer, survivor and fighter”. Although being 52 years old, Harriet intends to maintain her health and strength for both herself and the three grandchildren she is now caring for. According to Harriet, more people living with HIV should find the strength and courage to tell their loved ones and a few close friends about their condition in order to gain their support and educate them as well. By doing this, stigma can be halved because more adherence will be encouraged, and the virus won't spread at all. “I don't want anyone to experience what I did. I would have wanted someone like me to say, I'm a long-term HIV survivor, when I was diagnosed. That's actually my mission and my passion: to save lives and give hope to the hopeless. As long as you take your ARVS well, follow doctors advise and have a positive mindset, you are going to be pretty okay. Being 52 makes me a long-term survivor, but life is what we make of it. I could lay down and die or I can fight alongside with our health workers and I choose to fight till the end.” Narrated Harriet. Harriet is currently involved in knitting African-made baskets and table mats, which she sells at the National Theatre Uganda on Fridays. This was an opportunity offered to her every week, and different tourist visitors buy her items. Harriet is thriving like any other person today because of your generosity and partnership with Alive Medical Services so thank you so much to all our donors!
When one glances at *Toby, they can hardly believe that he has been living with HIV for a while now. Toby, a young man of only 28 years of age first walked through Alive Medical Services (AMS), barely hanging on to life, with negative thoughts of his death. “I was sickly. I had constant fevers and itchy skin which all become overwhelming and I was forced to go to the hospital for a check-up. A family doctor after analysing all the symptoms advised me to come to AMS. My first visit was on July 2018 and I was diagnosed HIV positive. I was very sad but mostly afraid to die.” Toby recounts. At AMS, every client is screened for Tuberculosis (TB) since it is a common co-infection with HIV. While at the clinic, Toby was screened and was found presumptive therefore tested for TB where he was confirmed to have it as well. Toby recalled this being the lowest point of his life: “I had given up on life. I just resigned to my fate and waited to die.” Toby was counselled and encouraged to take his medicine diligently to live a healthy positive life. His medication was to be taken in phases, first the TB medicine then the ARV’s. “I knew I wouldn’t get the support and care I needed from people around me here in the city, so I went back to my hometown in Fort Portal where I was able to rest and receive the care I needed. The good thing is that the doctors were able to give me an ART refill that would last me a month for the start and if I took the drugs well, they would give me longer refills so that I do not have to spend a lot of money on transport,” Toby described the differentiated care offered to him at AMS. “I knew the effect the news would have on my family, so I ended up withholding the truth by telling them I had a severe chest infection, but I had received treatment for it. However, my brother who is also my best friend is the only one I could trust with this information and to date, he is the only one who knows,” Toby shared. The counsellors at AMS always guide clients through the process of disclosure to loved ones so that they can get maximum care and treatment support from those close to them. Toby who once walked through AMS doors weighing only 42kgs is now a happy and grateful man weighing 82kgs and is looking forward to what life has in store for him. He hopes to get married one day and make a family of his own. “I can’t say thank you enough to Alive Medical Services for giving me another chance to live. I am glad to tell the world that it is possible to live a healthy positive life,” said Toby. We speak for numerous clients like Toby who are living healthier and happier lives because of the support that you give to AMS. Every donation, or support you make goes a long way to change a life for the better and we are grateful. Thank you!
"My name is *Immaculate, I am 24 years old and a mother of one. I am a resident of Namuwongo, and I have lived here for the past three years. My journey to staying in a slum area has been riddled with a lot of hardships. At 20 years of age, I had a child with my partner then, and I felt happy and fulfilled, little did I know that this was temporary. By then, I lived with my partner in Kanungu (about 430 kilometres from the capital, Kampala) and we led very simple lives. Shortly after my first son was born, he began to terribly fall ill from time to time. I became terrified at this point and honestly, I had run out of options. To make matters worse, our finances had really become undependable, we lived on less than a dollar a day. One day, my partner suggested that we move to the city where opportunities seemed better than our current situation. Contrary to our anticipation, life was even harder than it was back in the village at least we had food from the garden back home. In the city, we occasionally went to bed with empty bellies. And all this while, our son’s health was just getting worse. Within the Namuwongo area, I heard about the “Know-Your-Child’s-Status” campaign from a community health worker who was carrying out health education and follow-up in the community. I was curious and desperate so when she advised me to take my child to Alive Medical Services (AMS), I did not hesitate. Upon my arrival and following tests carried out, my son was confirmed HIV positive. This was impossible! I insisted on the health workers running another test and that is when a counsellor urged me to get tested as well. I must admit, I was mortified! I couldn’t imagine or handle the result, so I hesitated and did not take the test that day I walked back home. I was in denial about my son’s status so I did not discuss it with my husband in the hope that the health workers were wrong and that another test would prove them otherwise. A few days after my visit to AMS, I received a follow-up call and a counsellor requested me to come back in at least to talk to someone. I gathered courage and did just as she suggested. This time around, after a considerate amount of time with the counsellor, I decided to get tested as well. When the result turned out to be positive, I lost my mind! The world came crashing down on me. On disclosing to my husband, he decided to leave me alone with our son. Sadly, my son succumbed to measles shortly after that and died. This pushed me into a depression I wanted to commit suicide, I wanted to end it all. But through all this, AMS never gave up on me. Not only did they keep calling me to ensure that I came to the clinic for treatment, but they also made sure to physically check on me in the community. Subsequently, I started adhering to my treatment, got some domestic work to do, and later found a partner. I applied the advice from the counsellors regarding disclosure. When I thought it appropriate, I disclosed my status to him, and he was supportive and to ensure that his negative status was maintained. One year down the road, I conceived twins! I made sure I attended all the recommended antenatal care visits and in May 2019, I gave birth but sadly lost one of the twins during childbirth. This pushed away my partner who decided to leave. I was about to fall back into the same patterns but due to the constant support especially psychosocial support from the counsellors, I was able to accept my situation and concentrate on living for my son and myself. Today, I am one of the peer mothers that help in providing peer-to-peer support to newly diagnosed HIV positive pregnant women. I share with them my story in case it can help them see past their current situation, adhere to their treatment and take care of their babies when they are born. I still have a long way to go, but for this far that I have come, I am victorious! I am thankful to the partners and donors of AMS that send help to support people like me. I am forever grateful, and I will always try to pay this kindness forward."
Just like any other teenager excited about going for a long vacation from high school, *Nicole had no idea how this long vacation would turn out. "When I finished high school, I got interested in dating since I wasn't doing much at home during the holidays as it was a long vacation before I joined university. This got me into a sexual relationship with a boy.” Nicole explains.During her long vacation after high school, Nicole began dating a young man and she thought he was the love of her life! Out of curiosity and responsibility, Nicole suggested that they should go get themselves tested for HIV. Nicole and her boyfriend agreed to have their first HIV tests done, each separately. Her first results were negative for HIV, however, her boyfriend had tested positive but did not disclose his results to her. Because she loved him so much, she didn't demand to know his test results. After a while in their relationship, Nicole began falling sick frequently. Her mother was concerned and advised her to go and get tested for HIV since she knew about her relationship with her boyfriend. “I got tested 3 months ago,” Nicole said to her mother. She insisted and Nicole agreed to test one more time. This time she had the test secretly without telling her boyfriend, who had also stopped communicating with her. Nicole’s result was positive for HIV! “I was devasted and at the end of the rope! I remembered he didn’t share his results with me and I thought he was just being shy, but now I understood he was not interested in revealing that it was positive. I went back home and told my mother about the results, and she just opened her arms without any form of judgment. Just like a mother, she advised me to start treatment immediately and directed me to Alive Medical Services, since she had her sister under their care.” Said Nicole. Ever since Nicole came to Alive Medical Services care in 2016, her life has been transformed indeed. She joined the Victors’ Club, a group of young people led by the young people at Alive Medical Services whose mission is to build hope among young people living with HIV. Nicole’s dreams and ambitions were renewed for a bright future. She is currently a Youth and Adolescent Peer Supporter. Through the comprehensive services offered by Alive Medical Services, Nicole gained the confidence to contest in the Y+ beauty pageant 2021 where she was crowned as a Miss Y+ central region. She looks forward to using her story both at the national and international level to touch and change the lives of all young people irrespective of their HIV status. "Thank you Alive Medical Services and all donors, supporters and well-wishers for transforming my life! I am glad I can share my story and my abilities to change other young people" a message from Nicole.
Angela* had lived with HIV for years before her partner found her anti-retroviral medication. Angela’s partner was physically abusive, controlling and overpowering, and she was terrified of what he would do upon discovering her status. “After he found out I was HIV-positive, he kept telling me I was going to die,” Angela said. “He abused me and left me with one 4-year-old daughter and a newborn baby.” Without her partner’s support, Angela had no one to turn to but Alive Medical Services (AMS). She had been a patient for years; in fact, AMS was the first clinic Angela visited after realizing she was HIV positive more than 10 years ago. At the time, Angela was suffering from both HIV and tuberculosis, and thought she had no chance at survival. However, after months of treatment, continued support, and three blood transfusions, Angela made a full recovery. Such a success is why Angela has remained a patient at AMS, and why she signed up for AMS’ nutrition program when her partner left her years later. Instead of spending all her money on food, Angela can now use the little income she receives to pay her children’s school fees and invest in her small business. Though she currently sells bananas on the road, one day, she hopes to set up her own produce stand at a local market. Your support towards such projects is helping people like Angela invest in something sustainable, increasing their capacity to move forward after a difficult time. This type of support is critical, as Angela though finally free of her abusive partner is now facing the challenge of raising two young children on her own. Without food, Angela added, adhering to her anti-retroviral treatment would be impossible, as she gets dizzy and weak when she takes the medication without sustenance. Angela is a survivor. Not only has she battled HIV and domestic violence, but she is struggling to lift her small family out of poverty. Your support has allowed for patients like Angela to keep fighting, ensuring proper adherence to their medication and helping their entire families stay healthy and strong. We are so grateful for your generosity towards AMS’ nutrition program, as it is only through partners like you that such an initiative is possible. “Without AMS, I wouldn’t be alive today,” Angela said.
At AMS, our patients’ smiling faces provide a daily reminder of what we are accomplishing as a team. This team including AMS staff, patients, community members, and supporters is transforming the story of living with HIV/AIDS. We are using quality, comprehensive HIV care, support, and treatment to provide over 18,000 patients with the hope and health to pursue a bright future. The success of our programs is based in taking a holistic approach to HIV care an approach that supports the multiple challenges of living a health life with HIV. For example, AMS recognizes the important intersection between women’s/girl’s rights and HIV care. We know that to fully and adequately address either issue we must objectively look at the problem and address the many different issues that compose the larger problem. This requires a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach to HIV care. People living with HIV often come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and once someone has HIV/AIDS it becomes more difficult to work and support themselves and their family. Thus, HIV creates a negative repetition of poverty that exacerbates the virus and increases people’s poverty and vulnerability. AMS addresses these problems by focusing on providing easy, free access to full comprehensive services. In addition, AMS is also providing unique, creative, community-based opportunities for clients to form groups, increase financial knowledge, develop livelihood skills, partake in small group micro lending schemes, and become financially independent. One of our patients, *Hannah*, first came to AMS in 2011. Her husband had just died of AIDS leaving her with four children. After her husband’s death, Hannah’s mother had suggested that she should test for HIV. Fearing that her daughter was HIV positive, Hannah’s mother wanted her receive care and start treatment so that she could stay healthy and take care of her children. Hannah did test HIV positive and immediately began receiving comprehensive care at AMS. When Hannah first joined AMS she did not realize the full level of support that she would receive. In addition to receiving medical treatment, AMS has helped Hannah rebuild her life providing her with access to an income generation project that allows her to support herself and her children. As Hannah regained her health, she received training in jewelry making and now leads AMS’ women’s group, called Kwagalana. She has benefited tremendously from the skills that she has gained and her participation in the group. In addition to earning money, Hannah has rebuilt her confidence and has provided excellent leadership to other women in the group. With the money that she has saved from this work, Hannah plans to buy a plot of land and construct a simple structure for her family. She says, “…life is now meaningful, I can pay [school] fees for my children, buy the food I would like to eat, dress well and save some more. I have made more friends too who understand my situation. ….” AMS’ peer groups and comprehensive programs and services provide patients like Hannah with a bright and healthy future. These services have helped transform AMS into a thriving community that provides over 18,000 patients with love, hope, and dignity. The variety and quality of our comprehensive services would not be possible without the support and dedication of our whole team including supporters like you! Thank you for standing with AMS as we continue to work together for an HIV-free future.
"I was told that I needed to see a therapist, which I found strange, and I was worried that I was going insane. But when I eventually sat down with them, it was like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders." *Jalia's testimony. In Uganda, a recent meta-analysis found a depression prevalence of 31 percent among people living with HIV, and 15.5 percent alone are women. Mental health is important. People living with HIV will still experience the full depth and breadth of strong human emotions. This can affect one's self-esteem and silence one's hope for a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. 42-year-old Jalia transferred from another hospital to Alive Medical Services in 2011 because of her transportation expenses and a new environment. Jalia started experiencing symptoms of depression such as persistent tiredness, weight loss, insomnia, cramps, and physical pains. Jalia shared a home with her sister and three children. After her sister went to work in the Middle East, Jalia was evicted. She was unemployed and could not cover the rent payments alone. Soon she stopped adhering to her medication. “I started feeling very tired all the time, my body was like huge luggage, and the stomach pains made me think I had ulcers which wasn’t the case. I couldn't sleep on several occasions, I would literally be up the whole night, and on a few occasions, I would oversleep. In most cases, this routine made me forget to take my medication. Because I consistently missed my medication, I was referred to a counselor for intensive adherence counseling, where the counselor advised me to share some of the challenges I was facing. I had to be honest because I wanted the help and that is how I confided [in her] about a miscarriage I had way back in 2012 at 8 months which I didn’t share much about. I was jobless and one of my children was battling for his life in hospital because he had been involved in an accident. At times I thought it was all happening because I had HIV and I always asked God why it was me going through all that. It felt like I broke so many eggs in one basket and had nothing left to eat. The counselor talked to me about seeing a therapist which I found strange and I was worried I was going to become crazy. To be honest, I just accepted so that I’d leave the clinic and go back home". "The therapist took me through the first session, we shared more than I even expected. I remember I was given one small tablet which she advised me to take while I was going to sleep, and that night I remember it was one of the best nights I had in a long time, I slept with a lot of peace and confidence. From that day I acknowledged that I needed emotional assistance and I have been keeping my appointments with the therapist without missing out on any of them. I am glad that I can now genuinely say I am fine, and I can smile as well. My son is getting well, I also started a vegetable business that assists me with affording the standard of living. If it wasn’t for Alive Medical Services to realize that I had depression, maybe I would have resulted to a mental breakdown unknowingly." As part of our comprehensive health services, Alive Medical Services advances mental health awareness through a mental health clinic every Wednesday. We understand that depression negatively affects the quality of life of people living with HIV Poor mental health is linked to several negative behavioral and clinical outcomes such as more rapid HIV disease progression, poor adherence to HIV treatment, and risky sex. The work we do to care for our client’s mental health is only possible because of you, our partners. Thank you so much
Since the beginning of Alive Medical Services, we has been committed to providing a complete and holistic HIV care package for every client that walks into our clinic. Our package consists of HIV prevention, care, and treatment through free provision of counselling and testing, medication, maternal and child health services, nutritional and water sanitation support, and psychosocial support through peer support and income-generation groups. Thanks to the support from the community, in 2016 we were able to expand our psychosocial services to incorporate music! In 2016, we began collaborating with Musicians Without Borders (MwB), a group of highly trained global musicians who use music to inspire, empower communities, and heal the wounds of trauma. Our partnership with MwB began with the facilitation of a community music project to improve viral suppression, HIV status disclosure, ARV adherence, and the mental well-being of AMS’s youth. 30 youth were enrolled in the music programming project to train as community music leaders. They completed 20 sessions and upon completion of this program, and they graduated as Community Music Leaders to lead their peers through on-going music sessions. Because of the continued support from our donors, partners and well wishers, we are able to create these special partnerships that aid our holistic packages for all ages. We have already witnessed a vibrancy in our atmosphere at AMS and are anxiously awaiting the graduation of our 30 Community Music Leaders in May 2017. “I have a supportive mother. She always told me to be brave, but I still worried. Before coming here, I wasn’t normal. I wouldn’t speak to people because of the stigma. I was always paranoid, I felt alone. But then I came to AMS and I met these people. It was different. I got involved with the Victors Club and the Music Program and I started easily making friends. They understood and never judged me. At AMS I have friends who understand and help me. We talk about everything, not just our status. The doctors are so friendly, everyone is. I got pregnant and enrolled in Alive's EMTCT [Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission] program. Because of this program, I now have a healthy, HIV negative baby girl. I have a family here. AMS got me from where I was, to where I am now. Now I am in a position to help others as well.” * Vivian, one of the trained Community Music Leaders testified.There are many inspiring stories like Vivians’s among the youth at AMS. We are ecstatic to see what our youth will accomplish with their newfound musical skills and empowerment. Thank you for all the support you provide to Alive Medical Services. Together, we can make a difference in our youth’s lives!
May 1st, is International Workers Day and we would like to take the time to celebrate our health workers who are the backbone of our clinic's successes. With just 5 staff members in 2007, AMS has now grown to employ 62 full-time staff and 8 volunteers. Here at AMS, we take pride in knowing our expertise span 14 different specialized areas: clinical, nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, stores, counseling, children and youth, monitoring and evaluation, finance, hospitality, administration, sanitation and welfare, security, and community relations. To get a better idea of the faces behind AMS, we would like to introduce you to some of our fearless, front-line workers Name: Geoffrey (far left on top photo) Position: Medical Clinical Officer Joined staff in: 2011 Q: What made you choose to work at AMS? A: My passion is serving the community, specifically by preventing diseases, and I knew AMS had that element. I knew that I would be able to reach many people while working here. I have trained 100 peer educators who then go into the community to continue to educate and touch more lives. AMS provides an atmosphere that makes me realize my dreams. Name: Kwagala “Mami Kwagala” (second to left on top photo) Joined staff in: 2007 Position: Supervisor of Sanitation and Welfare Q: What is your favorite thing about your job? A: I work without pressure. It’s always teamwork here and I love my job. We are a family here at Alive. I love working with people and I love seeing people getting well. And I’ll never forget the day we did a Global Giving Campaign Fundraiser. Everyone came together and there was so much teamwork on that day. Name: Linda (second to right on top photo) Joined staff in: 2013 Position: Social Worker Q: What made you want to work at AMS? A: I naturally love to work with children and Alive gave me that opportunity. AMS changes people’s lives and I love that. In my job, I get to watch children improve physically, socially, and emotionally. AMS also takes care of their employees and always gives everyone an opportunity to gain and develop skills. AMS believes in us. Name: Caleb (far right on top photo) Joined staff in: 2012 Position: Accounts Assistant Q: What is your most memorable day at AMS? A: My first birthday celebration! I had never celebrated my birthday before and there I was, as an adult, celebrating my birthday for the first time. Everyone sang and danced…it was great! I even got a gift and cake! AMS strives to provide ongoing education and lifelong careers for our employees which enables us to continuing growing, developing and providing for clients and families. Every dollar of your support puts our staff members to work, helping them to provide life-saving services to thousands of our clients. On behalf of Geoffrey, Mami Kwagala, Linda, Caleb and the rest of the staff at Alive Medical Services, we want to thank you, our donors, for your ongoing support so that we can continue providing state-of-the-art services to our country’s most in need. Together we shall end AIDS and extreme poverty!
In primary 5, young as she was, Carol* a 26-year-old young lady currently residing in Namasuba was taken to the hospital by her aunt as she noticed she was getting sickly after 5 years since the death of her mother. Carol was taken to a clinic in Naguru where she was diagnosed with HIV after a blood test. She was still very young and vulnerable, devasted and hopeless with life. She was started on medication but by that time it was on sale and seemed expensive. Lucky enough, she had sponsors that catered and gave her a helping hand. As time passed, this cost became too high for them to handle so they started looking for an alternative way to support her. In 2011, one of her sponsors found out about Alive Medical Services and she was transferred there. Not only was AMS offering ARVs, but all services were free of charge including monthly nutrition food provisions that took a load off from the burden of the sponsors. They however, continued to provide her school tuition and upkeep. “Alive Medical Services was and is still one of a kind, a home away from home I must say. I thought I was the only one but when I met the young people in the Victor’s club, and most of all one of the leaders Nabula Edith Lukoma, I swear my life has never been the same!” With the support and encouragement from Victor’s club here at AMS, Carol managed to cope, especially with the irritating side effects from the medication like heat all over her body, endless nausea. She persisted to stay on the medication as advised by the health workers and it has paid off. She was trained as a peer educator in psychosocial support, music trainer here at AMS and ever since then, she is proud of sharing her story with the community Carol is now a mother of two lovely children, a boy and a girl and through our AMS EMTCT services, they are healthy, happy and most of all HIV negative. She has learnt so much from the facility and touched so many lives in the process. “I am so grateful to AMS staff and donors that make this happen, I love my life, my kids and my medication. Sometimes it gets hard, but that’s the circle of life, I believe everyone goes through depressing and stressing times irrespective of their status.” Since then, Carol has never looked back and is currently breaking boundaries, she is travelling to Nairobi for her new job. She has a plan to travel back every three months to refill her medication. It’s because of generous partners like you that AMS can help the youth. Your support is critical to ensuring children are born HIV-negative and you are playing an integral role in halting the spread of HIV, and keeping families safe. For that, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you so very much!
Sara (not real name), a 28-year-old single mother of two boys, works as a housemaid for an Indian family and resides in Kanyogoga, a slum area in Namuwongo. Sara joined Alive Medical Services in 2010 after a series of what seemed like signs of HIV. She had a skin rash, an irritating cough and she was consistently losing weight, these were all signs of HIV according to what people said. She used to escort her friend who was already in care at Alive Medical Services for drug refills. Her friend kept on encouraging her to test as she showed some of the signs of HIV. Sara was at first afraid to take that step of knowing her HIV status as she was a breastfeeding mother of a 17-months-old baby. She courageously took the test and the result was positive as she had suspected. “I was at first traumatised about the news; I was even afraid to tell the counsellor that I had a breastfeeding child at home ("Naka were") and when I told my husband, he left me with the child,” Sara said sadly. Sara did not disclose to the health worker that she had a baby before she confirmed her status. As her child grew up, he repeatedly fell ill and then developed a skin rash at 5 years; not to mention the child has a mental disability and is deaf. “I felt like he already had so much to deal with, but I had no choice”. She then decided to bring him for medical attention where they suggested for an HIV test. Sadly, the result turned out positive. Sara felt hopeless because she did not have any psychosocial support and her friend had died. She got the courage to disclose to her mother after five years as she could no longer handle the situation by herself. Fortunately, her mother was supportive, compassionate and she has never been judgmental towards her daughter. From the day Sara found out her HIV status, she has gotten the best counselling and health tips especially on the importance of having a balanced diet. Sara regained hope, self-love through all the support offered at Alive Medical Services, from food to medication and she is more stable now and managed to get a job where she earns fair pay which she didn’t expect once her life had taken a turn. “Even if my child barely speaks or hears, he usually looks at the clock and when it clicks 8:00 pm, he taps me as a reminder and gives me the sign that it’s time for medication, the only challenge will be disclosing to him in such a situation when he gets older”. Sara restored her life back and had a second baby who was under the guidance of the health workers in the EMTCT section at the clinic. Her second child is happy, healthy and HIV-negative. For all these years she has spent on medication, Sara would love to thank the whole staff of Alive Medical Services especially the lady in the EMTCT section (Linda) who has been very supportive; “she tells the truth of what will happen if you do it the way you are told to do and she will show and help you how to do it the right way”. Mwebale nyo, mwebalilire ddala. (Thank you so much)
Joy (not real name) is a 19-year-old peer educator working at Alive Medical Services. She is a young lady who was miraculously chosen by a foreign lady (Natalie) in 2007 during one of her visits in prisons where she used to explore and engage with street children. On this specific visit, Natalie noticed a group of young children in the prisons cell and felt drawn to Joy, she asked for her file and any form of information they had on her. She also asked about the procedure it would take for her to take Joy into her care. Joy, 8 years old at the time didn’t know anything about her family nor had she heard from or of her parents and since there was no one to claim her, the process for Natalie to become her legal guardian was a successful one, she finally got a family. After a series of being sick and sessions at Mulago hospital, Joy and her new foster mother Natalie did not know exactly what was happening with her health. She decided to consult a friend who referred her to Alive Medical Services, she was looking forward to getting free treatment at AMS. Joy received several tests, the first one being an HIV test which confirmed she was HIV positive and the reason why she was getting ill more often. Joy was then started on ARVS. She continued to take her medication all through school until high school when she stopped because she was confused about why she should take medicine indefinitely. After a while, she started getting sick because of not taking her medication. “In my high school days, we learned about STIs where the teacher mentioned most of the signs and symptoms of HIV and I happened to have one physical sign, the skin rash,” Joy sadly said. Joy had an irritating skin rash and her fellow students saw her taking medication daily, which led them to become suspicious of what illness she might have, making her even more uncomfortable. She was now even more depressed than usual and was finally sent home to seek medical attention as her illness seemed to be getting worse. Once home, she confided in her foster mother about her insecurities, this paved way for them to return to AMS as she realised it was time to disclose to Joy the actual status of her health. At AMS she met with Dr Elizabeth who was very professional at handling her case, she explained to her what it meant to be HIV positive and why she had been told to take her medication, the benefits of taking it more effectively. She remembers the first weeks being the toughest, but with the support from her foster mother, she was able to cope. AMS has become more than the family, friends, and parents she has ever wished to have. “AMS embraces you the way you are, at some facilities, you go pick your drugs and that’s it. The rest is usually not their business”. Joy acknowledges. Joy is glad she was chosen among the young people at the centre to train and become a peer educator at AMS, and this is giving her plenty of opportunities like sharing her story, attending summits, conferences as well as visiting other facilities, being able to interact with other peers on their daily challenges. Most of all she has become more confident and is not lost in the self-stigma that had built up during her high school days. She is very hardworking, easy to talk to with a dream to improve her life and grab onto future opportunities. Joy is now a peer network coordinator who is using her story and life experiences to change lives and she is grateful to AMS staff for the endless support and unconditional love with all adequate services available all the time. She wants to work so hard and facilitate herself for further education in Public health so that she can help people who have gone through the same experience. She also wants to own an orphanage for abandoned children so she can be able to give back to the community especially those on the streets.
Olive is a 31-year-old beautiful lady who joined Alive Medical Services HIV clinic in 2010. When she was in high school, she did all she could to abstain from sex in order to avoid getting infected with HIV. Unfortunately, in 2002, while in High school, Olive was raped! She was so devastated and feared she may have contracted HIV during this first sexual encounter but feared to test. Olive had her first baby but did not test for HIV and exclusively breastfed her baby just like any other excited first-time mother. Little did she know that she was infecting the baby through breast milk. “I noticed that my baby was not growing as well as other normal babies his age and yet he had made one year already.” Sad Olive explains. Olive’s baby got so ill that he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit and several tests were done including HIV test. Her baby turned out positive for HIV, and the health workers suggested that she should also get tested for HIV. “I was somewhat not shocked at all, I just had to be strong for the sake of my son. I was counselled and referred to Alive Medical Services for better comprehensive care. When we came to Alive Medical Services with my son, I was counselled again, I was encouraged that I was greater than HIV, the fact that the counsellor told me to forgive whoever infected me to love my life". Narrates Olive. Olive encourages regular testing especially the expectant mothers, girls who have been raped or defiled, they should always feel free to consult, ask and think about their health. Thanks to the Alive Medical Services EMTCT program and health team, Olive is now a new mother of a healthy baby girl, and she is excited that she is breastfeeding under the guidance of the health workers, and she is devoted entirely to the treatment and management of HIV. Olive takes her daily medication one pill, once a day, and on time. And it’s working. She is virally undetectable with a healthy HIV-negative partner. Olive eats well and she’s in great health.
Three years ago, Betty became dangerously sick. A rash covered her arms and legs, and a fever and staggering pain made it impossible to leave the house. Her husband had died just a year before from HIV – but fearing the stigma that accompanies such a diagnosis, Betty refused to believe she had contracted the virus. “I kept telling my uncle: I’m fine. I’m fine,” Betty said. “I didn’t want to go to the hospital, because I heard they treat you terribly there. And I didn’t want anyone to see me, because they would think of me in a different way.” Betty’s refusal to see a doctor led to a steep decline in her health. Fearing that she was HIV-positive, Betty's uncle told her about Alive Medical Services (AMS), assuring his niece that it was close to home, confidential, and offered quality care. Betty finally agreed to go, and her uncle was right: she was HIV-positive. That day, AMS immediately enrolled Betty in care. Not too long after her initial visit, Betty stopped showing up at the clinic. AMS community health workers came to Betty’s home to figure out what happened to her, encouraging Betty to return to the clinic and continue taking her anti-retroviral drugs. “I cried and cried and cried,” Betty said. “But the counsellors said: don’t cry. You still have life, your children, and a lot to live for.” With encouragement from the counsellors and nurses, Betty began taking her medication. She started to eat again. And in time, she was recognizable as the person she once was. She now visits AMS regularly for her check-ups, treatment, and counselling and a few days ago, she attended Caregivers’ Day, an event at the clinic that aimed to help parents and guardians care for their HIV-positive children. Nothing AMS does would be possible without the support of partners like you. Your generosity helped us meet our target goal for this project, something we could never have done alone. You've helped our counsellors listen to patients, providing support and guidance for the most desperate situations. You've boosted our clinicians capacity to educate mothers, fathers, and guardians, helping them understand how to better care for their HIV-positive children. And, your you've enabled our clinic to give new life to women like Betty, helping them start over and rebuild after the trauma of diagnosis. While we will continue to raise money for our clinic through separate GlobalGiving projects, we are so appreciative of your compassion throughout this project's lifespan. Thank you for everything you helped us achieve we speak for countless clients when we say: we are so grateful for your support. “Today, I am okay,” Betty said. “I’m feeling strong, and I’m feeling healthy. For AMS, I am very grateful.”
Twice a month, food is laid outside the doors of AMS. As the clinic swells with patients, doctors walk from left to right, advocating for proper eating practices and spreading nutrition information. One by one, AMS’ community health workers call out clients’ names, all of whom have been previously measured for severe food insecurity and malnourishment. After nurses assess their health status, each client receives seven kilograms of rice, seven kilograms of beans, two kilograms of sugar, and a bag of fresh vegetables. One of those clients is Esther, a 35-year-old HIV-positive mother and a patient at AMS. Esther’s partner left her a year ago, making it nearly impossible to juggle her job selling roasted meat alongside the roads of Kampala with the care of her one-month-old baby, Sharidah, and two other children. Without her partner’s support, Esther’s income dwindled; she could no longer afford to eat properly. Her breastmilk began to run out, causing Sharidah to lose weight drastically and rapidly. “At one point, my children would wake up every morning with no food on the table,” Esther said. “Sharidah was so weak, and so was I. I didn’t know what to do.” On her next visit, AMS staff took note of Sharidah’s weight loss. AMS enrolled the family in AMS' food program, and baby was started on food aid while Esther was educated on proper infant feeding practices. In the four months since then, Sharidah’s health has greatly improved: she’s gained nearly four kilograms, and smiles and laughs easily. She's even gained enough strength to stand and walk on her own. Sharidah’s recovery and Esther’s hope would never have been possible without the unwavering support of partners like you. Your generosity helped AMS surpass our target goal for the Improving HIV Treatment with Nutrition Support project, allowing us to reach thousands of mothers, fathers, and individuals like Esther and Sharidah. Once Sharidah’s weight stabilizes, the family will be phased out of the food program. Regardless, AMS will continue to support them through other initiatives. Over 300 HIV-positive clients are engaged in our gardening program, for example, which is made up of 18 different gardening clubs. By teaching clients how to plant, grow, harvest and sell their own crops, we are helping clients raise their incomes (and eat healthy foods) in a sustainable way. While we will continue to seek support to strengthen our nutrition project, we hope you know how appreciative we are of the work you’ve helped us accomplish. Thank you so much for your compassion. “Because of AMS, I have high hopes for the future,” Esther said. “HIV and my other challenges cannot bring me down.”
I had witnessed for many years while growing up in Uganda, the immense destruction, insensitivity, and stigma caused by poverty and HIV/AIDS that affected even my own relatives. I developed an insatiable pursuit for answering one question that has fueled my dedication for the past decade: "What if we all loved each other?" With this dedication, in February 2007, Alive Medical Services (AMS) was born. Nearly into one decade; 2016, AMS has become a cutting-edge, compassion and community-based clinic, and neighborhood hub in one of the poorest and most-populated areas of Kampala, Uganda, providing free, comprehensive HIV/AIDS services to those in need, with love and dignity. However, AMS's current impact was just a far-away dream in 2007. With very limited resources I just followed my heart and my firm belief that "no person should suffer from the injustices of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty." But I did not know the challenges that my team and I would confront. The initial days of AMS could be described as “building the bridge while crossing it," as our small staff single-handedly attempted to fill the roles of receptionist, physician, nurse, counselor, and more. The patient load grew in an unprecedented way, from just 6 patients in 2007 to a staggering 7,000 patients three years later. Patients were dying and the stigma around HIV ran rampant at the height of the HIV epidemic in Uganda, so the needs of our patients were paramount to us. With the overflow of sick patients and very limited resources, we failed to prioritize monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Without an M&E officer and adequate technology, we manually kept data of our thousands of patients, and thus could not easily evaluate them in a structured way. One day a major partner visited AMS, and we humbly showed them our small facility and our work. However, it seemed as if the world suddenly halted when the CEO asked “How do you monitor and evaluate the quality of care you are providing for so many people? What do you use to track how many patients are active in care, lost to follow-up, or have died? Is there a way that you track loss to follow-up?” This moment was a wake-up call for us, when we realized in a tough way about our failure in carefully monitoring and evaluating its work. However, there was an important choice to make in that moment. Was AMS going to be overwhelmed and give up? Or was AMS going to learn from this hard lesson, persevere over this hurdle, and fail forward? Choosing the latter choice helped us realize just how much we have to learn. With a newfound “growth mindset,” our team owned up to this failure, created an action plan, and acted. I sought guidance from M&E and HIV/AIDS project experts and became determined to revamp AMS operations. With the help of consultants and more funding, AMS instated standard operating procedures, hired skilled staff, created an M&E Department, and invested in technology to move records to an online M&E system over a tough two-year period. This new structure increased AMS efficiency, confidence, and trust from important partners. Though this failure was tough during those days, it truly was a blessing in disguise. We learned to value reflection, knowledge, and feedback, and now continuous quality improvement is a way of life at AMS. With this story, we hope to encourage others to also embrace failure despite initial fear and vulnerability. This story is of just one example of how AMS has failed forward. By learning from our failures, AMS has gone from serving an initial 6 patients to over 13,000 clients today. AMS’s organizational model has since been adopted by the Uganda Ministry of Health and has been recognized nationally and internationally for outstanding HIV/AIDS care. Now AMS cannot imagine functioning without the M&E department that serves as AMS’s backbone and allows us to report to donors like you. I am amazed what this organization has become. Now I smile, knowing that if it was not for the gift of failure, none of this would be possible. Our partner’s questions a near-decade ago helped us transform our organization, and so we welcome your suggestions for AMS as well! It is with your support donations, promotions, and feedback that we continue to change the lives of thousands of people affected by HIV in Uganda. Thank you for believing in AMS and for being part of our journey in striving for an HIV/AIDS-free Uganda!
“My name is Nabyoloola Victoria, I used to live with jjajja (Grandmother) in Salaama but I now live at Foodstep Uganda in Entebbe. I am not certain of how old I am because I have never celebrated a birthday in my entire life, but jjajja says I am about 11 years old, that is what she thinks. She never tells when I was born.” says Victoria. Victoria says”Jjajja and I did not have enough food, and we did not have a balanced diet, all we ate was posho with beans or silverfish “mukene” which was never sufficient. Sometimes we went hungry for days and yet we were both on daily medication. I did not like it very much. This caused my Viral load to increase causing so many illnesses and infections because I was not suppressed. In July 2020, I was not doing okay which led to my admission for over two weeks. I thought I was going to die. The health workers at the clinic got curious as to why I was not getting better since the admission. Winnie (pharmacy technician) and Peace (a peer educator) wanted to understand why my medication was not working. We had a number of conversations and they realised that it stemmed from lack of enough food, therefore I wasn’t able to take all my medication in time, hence affecting my adherence.” AMS realised that Victoria needed more psychosocial support and reached out to a partner, Foodstep Uganda that provides psychosocial support and believed Victoria would be a good candidate to join the program. Food steps Uganda enrolled her in the program. Since the grandmother knew she would not be able to take care of her she accepted the offer of guardianship on 30th July 2020 and moved to Entebbe to Foodstep Uganda. “At Foodstep Uganda, I met so many people, aunty Aisha, aunty Annette, papa, mama, everyone was nice, friendly. To top it off the food was amazing much better than what I had been feeding on. My favourite meals are matooke and rice. My best part about Foodstep Uganda is the home-schooling. This has been new to me and I love it a lot. I look forward to when school begins. I will be able to join school since I can write my name now.” Says Victoria Ever since Victoria joined Foodstep Uganda, she is happier and healthy. She takes her medication without any fear of hunger. She has since come back to the clinic and there is a significant change in her health and aura. From a girl who could barely respond to any question to a bubblier girl with a warm smile