Going public about AIDS

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 6 April 2001

MAUN, Botswana -- On a hot, sunny Saturday morning recently, hundreds of people in this isolated northwestern town came to hear the story of a courageous young woman, Connie Thabangana.

In a country where more than 300,000 people are infected with HIV only nine have made their HIV-positive status known publicly since the first case of HIV in Botswana was diagnosed more than 10 years ago.

On March 17, 2001, Connie was the 10th person to "go public."

"My name is Connie Thabangana. I am 23 years old and I am living with HIV/AIDS," Connie said to the audience as she began her speech.

"I was diagnosed in 1997. For all of 1997 and 1998 I went through hell, living a wild, crazy life. I was furious at the diagnosis, she said. "I felt like I shouldn't be, but I was angry. I wanted to find someone I could blame for HIV/AIDS. I am sad to say that life doesn't work out like a mathematical equation."

Connie was supported in her courageous stand by her family, especially her aunt, Rhoda Mokele, who spoke on behalf of the family at the gathering.

Living with her aunt when she learned of the diagnosis, Connie kept the news a secret for more than a year. When her aunt learned of the diagnosis, she didn't know what to do. Should she allow Connie to stay with her? Should she use separate dishes and utensils?

Rhoda prayed for strength to accept Connie as she was.

When Connie decided in 1999 to "go public," her aunt, who is also a teacher, dissuaded her. What would people think?

Rhoda wondered what her colleagues would think. She asked Connie, "Who are you to change the world?" Connie persisted, and in the end her family gave her their blessing.

Connie's decision to "go public" was greatly influenced by the counseling and other help she received at the Maun Counseling Centre. The counseling center is one of five nationwide centers sponsored by the Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program (BOCAIP). MCC has two volunteers working with BOCAIP in the Botswana capital, Gaborone and assists in supporting the Maun center.

Guided by the interchurch group Pastors Against AIDS in Maun, the center offers guidance and counseling to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

To help mitigate the crushing impact AIDS is having on this remote Botswana community, the center also offers daycare to orphans, material assistance to the needy, support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS, youth ministry and educational outreach to churches, workplaces, schools and other community groups.

At the gathering Connie's aunt challenged the youth in the audience to look at their own lives, to resist "sleeping around," as AIDS can infect anyone. She challenged parents to care for and befriend their children, to communicate with them.

It is largely through the support of the counselors and support group that Connie was able to rally the courage to reveal her HIV-positive status to her family, community and country. Connie's life will never be the same.

T-shirts printed for the occasion displayed a lovely photo of Connie on the front and on the back the motto and challenge to everyone was, "It's Never Too Late to Change."

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org