"We were severely stigmatised by our community. No one wanted us near them and people would laugh at us."
- Simiso Blessing (above, middle) with husband Abisaih and daughter More
"My church has helped me in some ways, like helping me in the fields and in the home... If I can only be assisted to get treatment, also to be helped to find a way to support my family."
- Florence, aged 32, a married woman living with HIV
"Although I am a pastor, I have not been helped much by my church. Spiritual support is there for me, but this is not enough on its own."
- Christohper, aged 30, an Apostolic pastor, a father and a widower
"My main problem now is shelter. The government is turning a blind eye on people like me. I also don't get any support from my church. I must beg for assistance because I must care for my six children."
- Jessina, aged 59, a widow living with HIV
"As a pastor, there is an expectation from the members of my church that I should be able to do something for them when they need help. But prayer alone is not enough. These people need medical assistance."
- Isaac, aged 59, an Apostolic pastor, with his wife Esmay, aged 35
"I do get support sometimes from my church such as food, soap, etc. When I was bedridden, the church helped me a lot."
- Gibson, pictured with his wife Veronica, both aged 49 and living with HIV
"The problem with people from rural areas ... is a lack of education. Most, including our church leaders, are illiterate. When they become ill, our people believe the problem is caused by an evil spirit."
- Nesbert, aged 26, was a child head of household at the age of 16, when his father, who was HIV-positive, became too ill to care for his family
Read their stories in full - and more stories from Zimbabwe, Yemen and El Salvador - in Prayer alone is not enough (1.86MB PDF)
Photos © James Matarazzo/Progressio
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