Shit Happen

In our lives there are things happen to us for good reasons and we call it "Good luck"
Some times when you are in party and you break the glass they say that it will bring good luck as well.
This afternoon I was travelling on my bike from Neptunusplein. After I cross the underground bridge   I got hit by a huge  and warm splash in my eye.I was wearing my glass but it went behind it.
I was shocked ,I did not know what was happening .I realized it was just a bird shitting on me !
I nowadays have a problem of seeing far and in dark it is worst beacause of light reflections. The 22nd November I will be having my eye operation. I guess this is good sign since the bird did shit on my eyes. This will be the last shit I see after next week I will see clear!
Peace ,
Eliane

Playing or Selling?

Hello,
After a week of rest after my Burundi trip I needed to share some words of appreciation with you.
I woke up early this morning  I needed to bring my Son Akira to the football game in Hooglandveen.
During the game  I came to realize how fortunate our children are to be living in safe place where they can freely play.
Every child in this World should have equal right to play.But it is not always the case.
why is that?
In Burundi most of rurals areas the children ,a special girls don't really have time to play.They are helping their mothers to fetch water, woods, take care of their young brothers and sisters or cooking. Before they go to school(for the lucky once who go to schools) they  have to fulfill their duties of helping hands at home.
For example a mother who has a small busness of selling rice, beans ,palm oil in front of her house,sometimes she let her small girl keep an eye on busness while she is doing some other things in house.
It is always the duties of mothers and girls to do most of the house work. Don't ask me why.I think it has to do with "Traditions"

The point is , the time has changed and people have changed.
When a mother left the small girl in street selling the things, she did not imagine the danger that poor girl could walk into.The safety is not guarranted .If is her bad lucky day ,the rapist could be around the corner and things would be different.
The rape still high and so is the HIV and no one dare to talk about it.
We need to protect our children .They need tolearn fast any mean they can use to protect themselves .

Look at this little busness girl selling oignons, beans, and Palm oil, She deserves to play.Would you call this playing?

Have  a good weekend
Peace,
Eliane

At my home safe.

Hello Netherlands.
After 20 days of work in Burundi ,I would like to inform you that I arrived safe yesterday evening.
It was a very long trip from Friday 23h30 I was  at Bujumbura Airport waiting  the Flight from 02:55 to Jomo Kenyata Nairobi Airport.Which arrived at 05:35 of morning.
The connection Flight  from Nairobi to Amsterdam Airport was ready to leave at 07:55 and we arrived safe at Schiphol at 15h40.
It was great to be surprised by my parents in Law together with my boys at Airport  since my husband has left for Sint Maarten few days for his work.

I immediately felt the cold ,  Burundi was very hot and there was no rain all days I have been there except Thursday afternoon.
My feets were swallown because of the heat. All the shoes I took with me could not fit  anymore.So I needed to buy new ballerinas .During  my check-in  in transit in Nairobi,I need to take them out and go through  scan. They  came back broken.
I was glad I had my home sandals Crocs.
I used them all the way to Netherlands.
Long live the Crocs ,they saved me!

I am having  much sweet memories of Burundi ,especially in Batwa Community which I will continue to share via this blog.
Thank you again for your support,I would not have done it without YOU!

Peace,
Eliane

Fighting Stigma In Buterere

Thursday was my final meeting with women and men living with HIV in Buterere.
The objective was to empower ourselves as we face day by day the Stigma.

During the introduction everybody did share the story of how he or she did get HIV.I have to be honest their stories were very inspirering.Many men were with their wives so they would share  stories from the beginning of diagnose .
In Buterere site they have peer counselor "Abaremeshakiyago"
They help others to get to hospital for HIV test when they suspect that you are very sick.They counsel as well the new diagnose HIV positive Batwa.

These people were not aware of U=U  Undetectable =Untransmittable and their doctor never gave them the information.
They were relieved .One woman said that she has been carrying the fear for so long.
They both take medication from different places.The most location was Nouvelle Esperance of Buyenzi.
They like the idea of meeting once for while as a support group so then the new infected people who started medication could join and hear their experiences.

We talked about STIGMA in their community .One man told us how children used to stone him the time he had Aids.
But now since his medication did help he has changed. Other woman said that they used to point fingers to her "Look she has Sida (Aids)but at some point the Chief of Village did give order of whoever will do that again ,will be seriousely punished.

Most of them have old children , they told them very long time.Some of their kids help the mothers to remind  to take medication. It's a small step they have made by coming out from their children.
All 24 people went home happy to start such a support group and be updated on  information  U=U
I finished by ASSEJEBA (Association pour la Jeunesse Batwa)where I was honored ny receiving a Volunter Certificate for the work I have done for Batwa Community.
Together we are strong!
Peace,
Eliane

The Hills of Gahwazi

Tuesday with ASSEJEBA team went to visit the Batwa from Gahwazi 2 in Mpanda Commune ,Bubanza Province.
It's a place of Hills only,the car could not get us to the houses where Batwa live.
So we walked 6km climbing till on top.
I have never done it before.In Gihanga is plat like in Netherlands (Pays-Bas)where there is no single mountain.It was a great sport for me.

The welcome is dancing and singing from Youth choire and Vibrant women group.
Every time is very special for me!

My introduction is always the same. Asking what they know on HIV and Aids.
According to them HIV is a desease you get from cheating on your relationship. How to prevent HIV ,You can stop having sex.
I asked if they ever seen someone with HIV .Their ansuer was yes .The person with Aids has big head,thin arms and a skin infection (Zona)
So we talked many other ways of getting HIV ,the Prevention and treatement.
I reminded them of not ruling out the case of rape for women and girls an other way of high infection in our community.They agree with me.
Then I started sharing my HIV story.They were surprised when I showed my medications.It was a urge opening !
All the children and parents were listening careful and asked many questions regarding the HIV MYTH within Batwa community.
According to Batwa of Gahwazi2  a Mutwa has HIV when he can not produce the pot (Kubumba Inkono).
My story did change  how they vieuw a person who live with HIV.

The Chief of Batwa with emotions did explain the gratitude he had to be able to see me being open and give them education. He said in his words"I have heard from people who came once to talk about the prevention on HIV and Aids,I have got many informations but I have never seen in person someone with HIV open and share this inspiring story.We see she tell the truth ,she has shown us medication.We are lucky to have her here  Thank you Eliane for choosing the Batwa.We are convinced that Knowing your status is the basic for planing our future and development. (ITERAMBERE) God bless you"

We finished by distributing the Excices books to 193 children.
We left them with smile faces.

Peace,
Eliane

Inspired by Hiv positive Batwa

Last friday I had an opportunity to meet Hiv positive women of Buterere. I have been there before for education on Hiv and Aids for all Batwa but this time I needed to meet women group.

It was a group of 14 women all hiv positive. They were from different ages. Young and Old. The oldest was 52 years.
We did share our stories and I gave information of UequalsU since we were talking about the problem related to  Stigma. I realized they can handle much more than I thought. We learned each others from many experience.
There a woman who inspired us by her  story
She lost 2 husband because of Aids ,her cousin who lived in village was rejected by all family because of His Hiv .He was left alone and died of Aids and has been eten by all dogs from the village. Meanwhile her uncle (the father of a boy eaten by dogs)went in Bujumbura city and get treatement. He decided to tell his family that he has Hiv after his own son's death.
This woman believes that she has Hiv because of her 2 husbands death.She think that her Hiv is hidden in bones.
We did support her  and asked her to trust her doctor.

About transmission mother to child.
I have learned from these wonderful mothers.I was never allowed to breastfeed my 2 boys to prevent the infection. After birth, I reived a pill to stop my breastmilk. I gave my babies powder milk since they were born. I wished many time to breastfeed them. Unfortunately I had no choice. I don't regret it but I wish I coud have got second opinion.

When I shared my experience ,the look of these women could show how pity they felt for me.
So I have asked them how come they breastfeed their babies .They explained that from the begining the baby get the mother milk from 0 till 6 month. ONLY milk and not water. The baby will take together with mother milk ,the antibiotics "Bactrim sirop" till 6 months. They don't get anything else.Mother will keep taking medication as normal amd baby will take till the last result if hiv test come out negative.After 6 months ,the baby can drink water and eat some fruit.

They explained the advantage of Bactrim Sirop. The baby can not get fast infection like grip, diarhée. I have seen those beautiful babies ,I felt a big joy and pride for those Mutwa positive women.

There were some mothers who went throught the same system of Bactrim Sirop and their kids are more than 10 years old.  They do so because they can not afford the powder milk and giving cowmilk for a new born does not work effectively with Hiv Medication for baby.

We were very happy to exchange and connect .I was glad to spend a day with them and I think positive new mothers in Nederland have something to learn too.
If I would give birth again ,I would definately breastfeed and enjoy such a good feeling of being a complete mother.
I am inspired by those Hiv positive women from Buterere.

Peace
Eliane

The Artist of Murira

Today was great to see Children of Murira
With their parents smiling .
Last week I gave education on Hiv and Aids and Fight for stigma for People living with Hiv.

After realizing that chidren were responding positively I decided to organize a drawing competition to share all the educational messages via the draw. The theme was "Fight the stigma against people living with Hiv and Aids"
The best artist was to be rewarded and his art to be hanging on school wall.

They did work hard since some children were drawing seating on the floor.
In class were a lot of old and damaged chairs.I had an idea of repairing those one and let them be used as soon as possible.

Today was the D -day to give the price for the 5 winners of drawing competition.And give the 46chairs ready today for use but more will come the work is on progress.

People of Murira were blessed today because the Vice President came to distribute the rice to109 families. After he came to support me where I was giving all prices for the 5 winners.He congratulate me for giving a good example and sharing the Love with my Community. 

After came to me a little girl she said "Thank you for giving us the chairs ,I was very tired everyday seating on the floor"
With a great joy, I smiled!

The Empowerment .

Hello.
Last few days I have been visiting more Batwa Villages In Nyamwera ,Rugamba both in Muhanga Commune ,Province Kanyanza.And also in Mubarazi in Murambi commune ,Province Muramvya.
The welcome in singing and dancing always  boost my energy  and make me feel at home.

In every village , the Batwa have the same problem of poverty. They have no solide houses .when it rains ,they stand up the whole night. Their children don't go at school because they don't have school uniforms and shoes. They are forced to return home and miss out the school.

During Hiv education the Batwa thought that the Transmission is only via sex or sharing the sharp objects.The transmission mother to Child or blood transfusion were not known.
Some Batwa describe the Hiv person as someone with Big head , very skinny and Red rips .This is the great time where I use my story to educate them and it was an eye opener since they never seen a really Hiv positive person open about it. When I showed my medication it enforced the power of my message and they were more convinced that I am an Hiv positive woman!

We started talking about the Stigma and breaking the silence  and support the Hiv positive Batwa as one people ,as one communuty. They are ready to go for Hiv test to find out and start treatement.

I closed the visit by meeting in secret a group of 4 young positive Batwa men who stop going at school  very long time because of discrimination  And they interrapt the taking of their medication due to the reasons of being afraid ."Death is close"
We discussed  a lot and decided to start whatsup support group since one of them has a number it will be easy to keep in touch
I was so happy to see again the smile on their face. They went home empowered!

The woman from Buyenzi.

Yesterday I visited Buyenzi at Ruvumera market in Bujumbura .It's place  to find the divercity. They sell and fix many things .People used to joke that even if a flight would be broken the wings ,it can be fixed  Buyenzi they have everything!

While walking around I meet the woman her name is Zainabu  .She was selling the ananas. She had a baby in her back and looked very energetic I asked the price and took the picture of ananas . She asked me if I am a tourist .I told her that I am in Burundi to educate Batwa on Hiv and Aids She asked why did i choose to do Hiv education.I explained that I have a good reasons to help the Batwa  people because they don't know what it is Hiv and Aids since I have Hiv for almost 15years

She looked at me surprised and she said"If you have it for so many years there is no way I could be afraid of death" you look healthy and Happy!

I shared with her my hiv story  she was motivated to hear that I have been able to give birth of healthy Hiv negative children. She agreed with me that the only way to find out is doing Hiv test and she promised to do Hiv test for her and her 4 children.
Unfortunately her phone was stolen few days ago I would have loved to keep in touch.

After saying goodbye I realized that I just finished to empower an other citizen of the World!

Peace
Eliane

The Children of Murira.

Today I went to give education on Hiv and Aids to children from Primary school MURIRA1 in Gihanga Commune.
It was great to see all the changes after many years. A lot of houses have been builded and new schools which were not there when I was young .
What chocked me is that some chidren are seating on the floor because the chairs are not enough or broken.It made me cry to see them in those  conditions.

I was welcomed by the Headmester and two teacher of 6th term primary school.
During introduction I told them that I am a native of Murira and they very curious to Know what brought me back there.

I started by asking  different questions relating on what is Hiv , Infection and prevention. They responden very well and have  asked many questions . There was a very good interraction betwen class.
We learn about stigma around  HIV and Aids , the important of testing.
We close our class by making drowing competition for the Anti stigma.

While I walked outside I saw this boy on foto who has been listening all my talking through the Window.He asked me ." Hiv can not take my talent of playing my favoriet football right?"I said not at all!" He thanked me again for being honest with them in class.
I have a good souvenir from this Burundian Hand made ball from my village.

Peace
Eliane

The Smile of Batwa

Dear all
Today was my first trip to Batwa of Buterere.Together with Batwa Local organisation we were very welcome by the Big chief NGenzi . The women and chidren were all singing and dancing .   I join the dance to get familiar with them .

The Batwa people are always happy. I
gave education on HIV  and Aids by using my Hiv life story. They were very touched and convinced. There was a woman Mariziya she gave a speach about how happy they are to get such knoledge . "People will bring food to us but this is more than food" we are having education ,  The best way to know that you are Infected  is by doing hiv test and get treated at hospital.

They made immediately a new song using the message I just finish to give during the Hiv education.
Before I say goodbye , I shake my hand with this boy on picture and He told me "I will stay healthy and my dream is that one day I will be a Doctor "
The Batwa children have dream too!

Peace
Eliane

Hello Burundi

Dear all
Hi .I finally reach safe in my home country Burundi. It went easy on Airport than I thought. I am now resting as I have flown almost 12 hours.

Where I am staying in city has such  beautiful banana tree. When I saw it ,it reminded me of my youth when I used  to help my mother to collect the bananas fruits and made the banana bier from it.
It has a very tasty juice which i liked to take at school as my 10h o' clock drink.

And I am sure when I will go to my village I will sure have some banana bier (Urwarwa)
This place brings back defintely my sweet memory!

We keep in touch!
Peace,
Eliane

Green Light

Dear all
I am very excited to share the good news after a week of stress. I finally got  the Green Light, I can travel to Bujumbura this weekend! I did not get the visa but instead I got a travel document signed by PAFE(Immigration)Burundi.

The Batwa Local Organisation that invited me for Batwa Education worked really hard to arrange this for me up, and they managed to arrange this today. With this piece of paper I can get visa at Bujumbura Airport. A big thank you to my friends in Burundi!

Well , I am so glad I don't have to reschedule my program in Bujumbura.I am writing now while I am travelling to LOndon for a Hiv documentary.Tomorrow evening I will be back, pack my bags and then leave for Burundi in Saturday. So exciting.

I will keep you posted as promised. Have a great evening!

Peace,
Eliane

A day of Confusion

My day started very beautifully. I was told that my Burundi visa was ready and that i could fetch it at the Embassy in the Hague. So I woke up earlier to make it on time since they open from 9h till 12h. I had my day well planned to make sure I would be back home for a conference call from 13h.

When I entered the room, the receptionist, that I spoke on the phone earlier this week and told me my visa was ready, was very confident to find my passport quickly. She started searching my passport and sowly I saw her eyes widening, focusing on so many list like she never did before. I was very patient and confident that i would return with my visa.

After many long minutes, looking at all those lists,  she had to confess to me that my visa was not yet ready.  How did you manage to confirm my visa twice on phone  and even give me the right time to fetch it? She said "I am sorry, I confused you with someone else". I was speechless for a moment. I don't have the same family names with that person, not even the same name and age. Yeah being angry was no options because I would close all doors!

Before i caught my train I wanted to relax and spoil myself with a good Latte Macciato from Starbucks. Guess what happened? they also managed to confuse my name , Eliane became Eliani. What a confusing day of my life!

So now I am home without a visa , my last chance is next Wednesday. I will keep you informed, for now we keep our fingers crossed to have my visa in time. Never give up hope...

Have a good weekend.
Regards,
Eliane

Always Myself

Hello everyone.
While waiting for the news on my visa, I choose to share a little bit of my life at begining of my hiv. I was just looking at my old album foto and when i saw this picture, it reminded me of the first week of my hiv treatement. I was diagnosed in Luanda, Angola, with Bad news that i was going to die and not even allowed to have children.The Doctor in Luanda sent me home without prescription so i could not buy any medication anywhere. My husband was my guardian Angel he supported me and took me in Pretoria in South Africa to see a doctor .

I came back to Malange in Angola, where my husband was going for work. I have to start over a new life in making new contacts and try to socialize with people around me. It was hard to find people who speak French English or Swahili.Forget about Kirundi there was no chance!
I decided to start my medication after the 2004 new year party. It was not easy , i did not want to smell garlic, or chicken. I did want to smell or drink a single drop of beer for at least 4 months.

But after my first week of treatement, we decided to go for a pick nick at the Kangandala Waterfalls with a small family of my husband colleague. It was a beautiful place to be. I totally forgot even the whole hiv story. It was amazing to be in the nature. We had a great day we took beautiful foto which I am sharing with you. I tried to see the difference between this foto and the one taken last week with my friends in Groningen. I realize i am stil the same happy, energetic happy girl. My conclusion is hiv does not define me!I am who I am and I will always be the same.

Have a great week.
Regards,
Eliane.