Peter’s Story: Living Positively with HIV and AIDS in Zambia

12th July 2007
by The Editors

Photography and photostory production by Mwilu Mumbi

1 of 6: Peter Katongo is a retired Sales Representative. He lives in Mandevu Compound in Lusaka. Peter was diagnosed with HIV in 2000 after suffering from tuberculosis (TB) for 2 years. “HIV and AIDS is such an inconvenience to my life and has robbed my family of a better life. By the time I realised I had HIV, I had already lost my job because I was very ill”

2 of 6: Peter says that when he was working, his family had a good livelihood. His wife, Barbara, had a vegetable shop at a local market in Mandevu Compound but when he became ill with TB in 1998, he lost his job and his Barbara had to give up her market stall to care for him. Peter and his family now rely on ‘piece-work’ and selling vegetables from their small vegetable garden for income. “I lost my job simply because I was too weak to work hence, my wife and I resorted to selling household property to pay off my medical bills, buy food and pay for our children’s school fees. Most of my friends deserted me because they thought I was dying. After 2 years of suffering from TB, I decided to take an HIV test at New Start Centre and I was found to be HIV positive. I just cannot figure out where I acquired the HIV virus”

3 of 6: Peter has been on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) for 7 years and says that the antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have saved his life. Through a government funded programme, Peter does not have to pay for the drugs: “My health has tremendously improved ever since I was put on ART and I have not experienced any side effects as a result of the drugs. I collect my ARVs from Chipata Clinic. There are usually long queues of children and adults waiting to collect ARVs at the clinic, I wake up at 5AM in the morning and would only collect my medication around 16:30 hours in the afternoon. Every time, I remember that somebody somewhere is paying for this expensive medication and I am so thankful, but at the same time am worried, because what if this somebody stops paying for this medication, it would be a disaster for me and many other people living with this virus”, he says.

4 of 6: Peter is a HIV activist and active member of the local HIV/AIDS support group Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC). Peter encourages those living with HIV and AIDS to “come out of denial, face reality and accept their status”. He also promotes ‘positive living’ in particular through a well-balanced diet, although he admits that a well-balanced diet is difficult to achieve or maintain for the majority of Zambians living on less than a dollar a day.

5 of 6: Peter worries that some people living with HIV and AIDS, especially those in religious circles, may die early as a result of stigma, discrimination and self denial. “I have witnessed a number of AIDS related deaths in my church; therefore, I have waged war against HIV and AIDS in my church. I disclosed my HIV status in church so as to encourage more people to come out of denial and live positively.”

6 of 6: Peter campaigns for organisations and health facilities to establish Voluntary Counselling Testing (VCT) centres in compounds around the city so that individuals can be encouraged to know their HIV status. He also feels that many of his colleagues in the support group lack the necessary counselling skills to appropriately support those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and is encouraging local organisations to provide the appropriate training for volunteers to effectively respond to the growing need for care and support. “I also coordinate a community HIV and AIDS support group called ‘Chibusa’ Support Group. My colleagues and I conduct home visitation to all AIDS patients and provide care and support to them. Chibusa Support Group won a service award regarding its work, and I am so proud to be part of this work. I am also a member of TALC which has taught me so many skills regarding sensitization and peer education on HIV and AIDS issues.”

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