HIV/AIDS is no more a death warrant

POWERED BY FHI 360
October 3, 2014
The Birthing of hope in Taraba State: An inspiring story of
one life that brought back hope to so many other lives
By Inside Nigeria
Eleven years ago, Abraham Johnson, a young single man
had lost all hope of ever rising from what seemed like his
death bed. Abraham who was first diagnosed HIV positive
in 1998 but hid his status and so could not access the
available HIV treatment services until the year 2000. At
this time, he had become seriously ill and was admitted
into the then General Hospital, Jalingo. In 2002, he met the
State team of FHI implementing the earlier IMPACT project
who encouraged him to stop living in denial and embrace
life by taking advantage of the free treatment made
available through support of the United States Government.
This marked the turning point of his life as he was able to
disclose his HIV status, therefore becoming the first
person to disclose openly his status in Taraba state. With
this he felt a great relief and in his own word “I felt free as
if a burden was lifted and subsequently could enter
anywhere without the consciousness of stigma upon me”
Abraham’s decision to live positively led him to participate
in many HIV/AIDS activities available at the time and was
exposed to the advantages of disclosure and positive living
among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) enabling him
to live a meaningful life. The experience he gained sparked
his passion to help other people could be in denial. He
came up with the idea to set up support groups for PLWHA
in Taraba State where they can live in hope and speak with
one voice on issues that concern their general wellbeing. In
2003, the support group was formed with technical
assistance from the FHI IMPACT project. The support
group grew day by day with more PLWHAs disclosing their
status, coming out and requesting information about
positive living. By 2005 when FHI started the GHAIN project
in Taraba State, the support group evolved with the name
“Society for Future Health” and had formed 10 other
facility-based support groups across the state.
FHI360 has consistently supported Abraham and the
“Society for Future Health which now receives assistance
from The SIDHAS project. The continuous quality
improvement (CQI) component of the SIDHAS project has
not only improved his skill and that of his staff but has
strengthened the organization across three domains –
financial, institutional and programmatic development.
“FHI360 has not only given me fish but has taught me how
to fish.” Society for Future Health is also positioned now to
compete competitively for grants and recently got a grant
from Taraba State AIDS Agency (TACA).
Another remarkable turning point in Abraham’s life was his
eventual decision to seek a life partner. He had feared
getting married because of the real possibility of
transmitting the HIV virus to his spouse and offspring. He
overcame this phobia and got married in 2007. He took
advantage of the PMTCT program and today has three
children who are all HIV negative. He is presently an
employer of labour and a beacon of hope for PLWHA in
Taraba State.