Violet’s story

When Violet’s husband died of AIDS she was left to bring up their five children alone.

She’d known that she was HIV positive for years, but it was only than that she decided to seek help.

She says that that help – from Progressio partner organisation Batsirai – changed her life completely. She not only received support, counselling and ARV treatment, but Batsirai also helped her to set up her own business.

Today, she runs  on the outskirts of Chinhoyi, which is a two-hour drive north of the capital Harare.

“The shop keeps me very busy,” says Violet. “I no longer have to sit at home thinking about HIV and being ill.

“I am not scared any more to tell people my status,” she says. “I want everyone to know that I’m HIV positive.”