SETU Nepal would like to give you information on Nikita (name changed to protect her identity), a 19 year old girl living with HIV. We have been working with Sneha Samaj, an NGO that supports women and children living with HIV, to rescue her from her vulnerable condition and support her education.
My name is Nikita, and I am 20 and living with HIV. I used to live in Jorpati with my mother, elder sister and brother. When I was 13, I found out that my mother had HIV. At 14, my father returned from working abroad. After finding out about my mother, he submitted our family for HIV testing. We found out that we are all HIV positive, apart from my father. Sneha Samaj’s CHBC team had frequently visited our home for my mother, and extended their treatment to the rest of our family. As part of this treatment process, I started to take ARV in January 2009.
When I started, my father took care of our family, helping my mother and listening to each of his children. As time passed, he became rude and abrasive, eventually leading to abuse. This continued until he cut ties with our family, marrying another woman and leaving us without means of support. We were abandoned, hiding our illness. Only my maternal aunt knew that we were HIV positive, and she supported us emotionally and financially, despite her husband’s wishes. When her husband returned from working abroad, she succumbed to his insistence that she stop caring for us.
After that, we were truly helpless. My mother worked when she was physically fit, but suffered gravely from psychological issues. In order to continue my studies, I worked at a relative’s house, hiding my illness and taking my medication in secret. Suffering shame from the stigma, I couldn’t take my medication at the appropriate ties, and eventually stopped the ARV course. At school, I was in the top grade boundary: I secured first division in SLC, and ranked third in my class in Grade 11.
Recently, I have been living in SETU Nepal's transit home since my mother lost her job; she has moved back to her parent's home. In order to support my family, I need to further my education, but I have no way of doing so. I am appealing for your support to help me build a better future..
SETU Nepal wants to support this bright pupil in gaining an education, and supporting her financially while she continues her studies. We currently provide temporary shelter for Nikita, but are seeking a permanent solution to help her.