James and Jackson had gone to a market day to do a mobile VCT clinic. Usually, these market days are busy ones in the shops as people from all over the area come to buy, trade and visit. The guys usually set up a tent in an out of the way place. People wander in either out of curiosity or need.
On this day, three ladies came into the tent with a small girl about 6 years old. The little girl was their niece. They told the story of how the girl's mother, father and two siblings had died of AIDS. They were taking care of the little girl now, but feared for her health as well. These women meant well, but the misguided stigma placed on AIDS sufferers was evident in their care of her. She was not allowed to leave the dark hut, she was not allowed to have any human contact, except for the one who brought her food. She was not allowed to go to school or have any friends. It seemed AIDS had claimed another victim in this girl. The aunties wanted to have her tested.
James did the test, placing a small drop of blood on a test strip, and the wait began for the results. I imagine that eternity over eternity must have passed in the 15 minutes it took to get the results.
The test was negative for HIV.
James told of the pandemonium that followed! The aunties rushed to the girl picking her up, kissing her and chattering all at once in excitement.
"We can send her to school!"
"She can have friends now!"
"She will play outside with her cousins!"
Imagine that little girl's freedom! One little drop of blood, and she was released to live like a normal happy 6 year old!
I can just imagine those ladies walking home with their niece across the plains, chattering and making plans for her! So excited for the potential that lay before their newly redeemed charge.
That story made me cry. Both the hurt caused by the stigma and the joy of its release. But imagine how many others are living like that who won't get a negative test, and therefore will never get a joyful ending.
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