Organization: Lean on Me Foundation
Region: Africa
Nationality: Kenya
Country: Kenya
Interests & expertise: Community leadership
Profession or occupation: Advocate/activist
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
In the late 1990s and early 2000, HIV took us through a very deep spiral of depression and anxiety. Society judged and blamed us. The world stigmatized and rejected us. We needed to fight back. We needed to be treated better. We needed to be understood. And you are right, we needed to be loved. That was motivation enough to join other people living with HIV to advocate for access to treatment and a life of dignity.
Dignity and a quality life were not things that were going to be handed on a silver platter for us to enjoy; we had to fight for them. Advocacy moved from being a necessity to being what I love doing on a daily basis. Though we are not yet at a perfect place, we have made some gains and, yes, we will continue the fight to keep the gains.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
As an IAS change maker, I understand my role as that of achieving positive change for the greater good of people living with HIV and affected by TB by taking innovative actions. It is my role to continue influencing, inspiring and mentoring others to join, support and contribute to the change effort until it is achieved.