PHOTOSTORIES

In Uganda, every year, 90 thousand HIV positive women get pregnant.
Without any intervention, 24 thousand children risk to born with HIV/AIDS.
The mother-to-child transmission is in fact the second major modality of HIV infection.
HIV is passed during labour, at the moment of delivery and also through breastfeeding.
AVSI, since ten year, includes in its health projects, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) component in 4 hospitals and 37 health canters in north Uganda.

This program, through the provision of antiretroviral drugs to the mother during labour, and to her and the infant within 72 hours from birth, together with the monitoring of breastfeeding options, reduces up to 70% the possibility of transmission of HIV from mother to child.

An HIV positive mother breastfeed her first born, recently born at St Joseph’s Hospital in Kitgum, Uganda.
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Sister Betty is in charge of the PMTCT program at St. Joseph's Hospital for 10 years, since AVSI, in collaboration with the hospital, launched the program. The heart of PMTCT lies exactly here, in the Ante Natal Clinic (ANC), the place where the courses for pregnant women take place. Here they receive malaria prophylaxis, de-worming medicines, iron, vitamin A, folic acid. And the possibility to test for HIV. Mothers who result HIV positive, are enrolled in the PMTCT program and they begin, where possible, the antiretroviral treatment. They are monthly monitored. They are also strongly advised to give birth in hospital. The mothers are then followed and accompanied through the first months of life of the infant, to prevent infections, to guarantee good nutrition standards and to test, after 3 months, to check the baby’s health status.

Sister Betty, shot outside the ANC clinic at St Joseph’s hospital, in Kitgum, Uganda.
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Ocaya looks serious while he poses for the photo. But a grimace from her sister is enough for his tightened mouth to melt into an excited smile. Blood Brothers. Although the blood flowing into Ocaya’s veins is different from his sister’s. He is born with HIV. It is exactly when Ocaya, a few months after his birth, begins to get sick, that Mary and Basil, the parents, find out that they are HIV positive.

"Now it would be better if you do not get pregnant anymore," the neighbors and colleagues of the market started advice Mary. "Not to pass the virus to other children." But you can not stop motherhood, especially in Africa. Especially in Uganda.

Upon learning of her second pregnancy, Mary goes immediately to St. Joseph's Hospital of Kitgum, where she is enrolled in the program to prevent mother to child transmission. Gloria is born 8 months later, healthy and happy. Then it is the turn of Rema, also HIV negative. In 5 months, Mary will give birth to Aneka, finally a male brother for Ocaya.

Ocaya foreground photographed at his home in Kitgum, Uganda, with, his mother Mary and father Basil, both HIV positive, with the little Rema in his arms. Next to Ocaya, the sister Gloria.
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Patricia’s middle name is Cinderella. She is 5 years old. She is still in her mother Helen’s womb when, following the untimely death of the husband, she starts attending Ante Natal Clinic at Kitgum St Joseph’s hospital. Here, Helen discovers her HIV positive status. Enrolled in the AVSI-supported prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program, she starts the antiretroviral therapy. Patricia is born free from HIV. Today, she plays, jumps, she goes to school. And dreams the Prince Charming.

Patricia Cinderella, 5 years old, born free from HIV.
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Scovia has now turned 70 years old, a record for a resident of a country where life expectancy is 52 years. It is not only the elegant dress she wears on a weekday that makes her proud. She is proud. Proud to take care of a niece with AIDS and with two dependent children. Fiona, an orphan, discovers he is HIV positive at 6 years. When she gives birth to her first child, she cannot breastfeed due to a breast infection that would increase the risk of HIV transmission. AVSI, through the PMTCT program which provides infant formula, allows her to continue giving milk to Emanuel, her son. The second son of Fiona is called Angel Komagun, which means "lucky". The HIV test, in fact, reveals that he, like the brother, is HIV negative. Thank to PMTCT. And thank to a loving grandmother.

Grandma Scovia.
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Susan is expecting her first child. She is on her way to the hospital, together with Patrick.

Patrick wears the most elegant clothes he has: a jacket and tie to accompany Susan.

While in Africa the woman remains the backbone of the family, the husband plays a key role in support.

Their involvement also serves as an example for the whole community in the spread of a positive attitude and proactive approach towards health services, and especially in AIDS prevention services.

Susan and Patrick during a visit at the ANC in St. Joseph's hospital, historic partners of AVSI in Uganda.
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The Meeting Point, in over twenty years, has accompanied hundreds of AIDS patients, at first not to face the death alone, then in welcoming the orphans they were leaving behind. Today, supporting them in dealing with antiretroviral treatment and doing prevention.
Every day the volunteers go to the villages of north Uganda to encourage pregnant women to visit health canters, supporting them with the emerging fears and doubts. They speak of the risks of the virus with young people, to prevent new infections. They are a real "Meeting Point".
Partner of AVSI, the Meeting Point is a fundamental entry point and support for PMTCT mothers.

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Margaret is a farmer and a mother. Along with other PMTCT mothers, they gather together into small groups according to the village of origin.

The group has received from AVSI seeds for the cultivation of cassava. They share the revenue to buy food for their children. So are their source of livelihood and the ability to go from dependence on humanitarian aid, caused by over twenty years of forced displacement.

"Thanks to the proceeds of the sale, I can buy food for my daughter’s nutrition needs."

Margaret shot with her daughter in the cassava field she cultivate with the other PMTCT farmer women.
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