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Friends fighting AIDS together Helping HIV-positive people to support each other is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. Sister Pat Patton, who has served in Africa for over 35 years, is in mission with an increasing number of HIV-positive people now surviving with their disease. She explains, “People living with HIV/AIDS have so many challenges to face, beginning with acceptance of their status. Then they have to find a treatment center with a reliable supply of antiretroviral drugs. An adequate source of nourishing food and a support group are next. These assist them in facing their families and disclosing their status, accepting and working with stigmatization by their family members and local community, and coping with their up and down health problems.” Friends Fighting AIDS Together (FRIFAT) offers help with these challenges in Sister Pat’s community in Loitokitok, Kenya. This support group of 60 HIV-positive persons meets weekly for classes, sharing, and celebrations. They learn income-generating skills by making beaded crafts and Masai shirts and skirts, and by working on a communal farm. Some members of FRIFAT have been trained as community health workers, and other members have learned about home-based care. As a result, they have been invited to give talks at antenatal clinics in the hospital, and at youth group meetings and in churches. “Their presence and their positive living attitude have a tremendous impact on the groups,” says Sister Pat. Severe drought in the area of Loitokitok has presented another big challenge in the past year. Sister Pat shares, “The food we have been able to purchase and distribute to the members of FRIFAT has been lifesaving.” Maize, beans, and unimix are distributed after each weekly support group meeting. Sister Pat explains, “Each member in the group has a family with children. When we looked at the number of children in each family, we realized that the supplemental food lasts only a couple of days. Still, it is greatly appreciated by all.” She adds gratefully, “There were four babies born to FRIFAT members in 2008 – one girl and three boys. All were delivered free from HIV.” September 1, 2009
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