Summary: After the death of the parents due to HIV infection, Pratima Sunakothi who is also HIV positive was living with her grandmother. Her uncle threatened her grandmother stating that he would not let them live with him if she was to be around the house as he was worried that she would transmit her disease to his children.
Pratima Sunakothi is an eight-year-old little girl from Sindhupalchowk district. In 2009 her mother got married; it was an inter-cast, love marriage and although she received support from her own family, her husband’s family did not accept her. Then, she came with her husband to Kathmandu. She started working as a laborer while her husband worked as a contractor for two years. When she became pregnant with Pratima Sunakothi, her husband took her to her parent’s home and left. She never heard of him again and started to suffer from chills, fever, diarrhoea and headaches. Due to her pregnancy, she did not take any medication. Pratima Sunakothi was born in Thapathali Hospital. She did not cry immediately after birth and was kept in ICU for 3 days. No other problems were visible in Pratima Sunakothi. However,her mother constantly developed sores after Pratima’s birth. The sores in the legs/feet would disappear while taking the medicine from the medical shops (pharmacies). However, they would come back once she stopped taking the medication.When Pratimawas about one year old, a local of their district, who worked at a HIV/AIDS centre, advised them to get tested for HIV. The results were positive for both of them and only shortly after, Pratima’s mother died as a consequence of her disease and the young girl started living with her grandmother. Unfortunately, her grandmother could not take care of Pratima due to her financial conditions, which is why she got transferred to SETU Nepal at the age of four.
She received shelter, medical treatment, was provided an education and is currently in grade two. Furthermore, she is taking ARV medicine from Teaching hospital. She has been living for four years at the Aarati House of SETU Nepal and has completely changed. Her health has improved tremendously She now is a curious and very keen girl, that sometimes cannot sit still and could be called the “class clown” amongst the children of SETU Nepal. She always tries to be funny and make other children laugh, which is one of her big personality traits. It is amazing to see how much she transformed during the last few years and we the family of Setu Nepal wish her only the best.
We are very thankful to Mr. Peter Leech for his generous support for the financial responsibilities of her education in a very reputed private school. In spite of that, SETU Nepal is not able to afford for her entire nurturing (Food, health and other) she deserves. SETU Nepal welcomes all the Generous hearts and helping hands to encourage her to do better for her future. Your any kind of support will be appreciated.