Irene Musarapasi (left) and her daughter Tabeth © Marcus Perkins/ Progressio

“I was told that when you are HIV positive you will certainly die. So I thought that AIDS was what God had given me to die from – until I met some people from Batsirai who told me that it is possible to live a healthy and active life.”

These are the words of Irene Musarapasi speaking more than 10 years after a diagnosis of HIV and the death of her husband from an HIV-related illness. Progressio’s long-standing partner organisation Batsirai helped Irene with medication, school fees for her daughter Tabeth, and support as she overcame ostracism born of ignorance.

Irene’s message to you

Now Irene is an activist, telling her personal story to others as part of educating people about HIV. “I tell people: You must understand those who are HIV positive, love them, support them and take care of them. They are just like you.”

That’s what Progressio is doing in Zimbabwe. Progressio currently has three development workers working on HIV in Zimbabwe: Stan Mverechena, working with Batsirai; Teclah Ponde, working with the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender; and Musa Chibwana.

Musa’s message to you

Thousands of children in Zimbabwe have been orphaned by HIV. Many of them end up in chronically under-funded orphanages. At the Mbuya Nehanda children’s home near Harare, 95 children survive on the meagre rations provided by dedicated staff who have to virtually beg for food supplies from ‘well-wishers’.

Musa, who is helping dozens of similar institutions through his work with the Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children, says: “We can make a massive difference to this home. With the right support this orphanage could be running really well in a few months.”

Please help us build a better life for people affected by HIV in Zimbabwe

Throughout Zimbabwe’s recent economic and political turmoil, Progressio has been at the forefront of tackling the HIV pandemic. Our skilled workers pass on crucial know-how to local organisations for which HIV is an hourly reality, never mind a daily one. From helping get vital messages about HIV prevention out to far-flung villages, to supporting programmes to care for children orphaned by HIV, Progressio’s development workers help local organisations carry out life-saving work.

Progressio’s approach therefore has a huge impact, because we are helping local organisations to unlock their potential to tackle HIV – making them far more effective, now and in the future.

Your donation will help us make a real, long term difference to the Zimbabwean people’s ability to tackle the HIV pandemic.

Progressio’s Country Representative in Zimbabwe, Kevin Ndemera, says: “I could place 10 more development workers with needy organisations tomorrow if I had the resources.”

Please help us make that vision a reality. Your donation will go directly towards our work on HIV in Zimbabwe.