Langton’s story

“It was almost a relief when I found out I was HIV-positive. At last, somebody had told me the truth about what I was suffering from. From that day I knew that I could get support to cope with my condition.”

Truth is something close to the heart of Langton Mtumodzi – for he is both a village headman, and a bishop ministering in the African Abraham Church. And now he is bringing the truth about HIV to his congregation, thanks to the support of the interfaith Chisomo Circles of Hope – a support group set up with help from Progressio development worker Renias Mundingi, working with the Malawi Interfaith AIDS Association.

“The support group was an eye-opener to me,” says Langton. “At first I was not very free to talk about my status to people, but the advocacy training has transformed me into an active advocate for the rights of people living with HIV.”

Having overcome denial – what Langton calls “self-stigma” – he is now leading by example, testifying “about how I have managed to live with the virus, and being an ambassador of hope to my fellow villagers”.

“I preach against stigma and discrimination, and I also bring families together and offer them counselling,” he says.

In his community, he says, “over 200 people have since disclosed their status” and received counselling – beneficiaries of Langton’s leadership, and advocates themselves of a more informed and enlightened attitude towards living with HIV.