Amazing Siem Reap!

Siem Reap, an amazing place to be! People are very calm and respectful.The moment we arrived at Siem Reap Airport I felt very welcome in the place. We have been visiting many tempels past last four days and I have learnt something which I am about to share here.
You probably asked yourself why did I choose this pictures among a hundred of Siem Reap fotos taken.
In history of Buddhism as explained by our guide, Arad, during the visit at Temple of Ta Prohm where nature has taken all temple. Trees has grown above the temple, some capture the statue of Apsara.  I love the story of APSARA. According to  the Buddhisme Apsara was a women  who lived in Heaven as Angel. People in Heaven were receiving holy water and one day the Devil took the holy water and give it to evil people. Apsara change in other face and went to seduce Devil in order to get the holy water. The moment she receive the water she gave it immediately to her good people. Devil became angry and start fighting her with all God people from heaven.
It was great to hear the story and and after to discover her captured by the growing tree for so many years. I am grateful to Siem Reap government to preserve such amazing place so then the world can review the past.
We are continuing our journey to Bangkok where we count to have more fun and discover more nice things in this World.
Peace ,
Eliane.

Cambodia here we come!

I am very excited to share with you the journey; me and my husband are about to travel to Asia and seeing three countries, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.
The dream began in November 2010 when my husband travelled to Cambodia - Siem Reap - for his work. he saw many nice places and took some beautiful pictures. When he showed them to me he said "Eliane we have to go together to cambodia I really want to show you around in Siem Reap, see the amazing Temples of Angkor Wat". I said who knows one day we will go let's save some money for it.
The idea of travelling was born from that moment. This year 04 January 2018 was our 15th marriage anniversay. We realized we have not travelled very far away, us 2 without kids. We decide to make our dream come true and combine the trip for three countries, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. We call it "The Asia Honeymoon"
It's finally going to happen! We are leaving Sunday 22 April and will be back 11 May.
I would like to thank my parents in law as they will help us in taking care of our kids during our holiday.
I can't wait to be there !
Peace ,
Eliane.

Our Family project - New York

Hi.
Today I would like to share with you the way we educate our kids.
Children are very simple to handle when you communicate with them very clear. I am very proud of the situation till this point.
I am still enjoying things I have learned from my parents and I think it is best to teach kids when they are still young so they remember when they grow up.

I choose first to tackle the topic of seeing the value of things and saving money for it. Many parents they will just give anything asked to their kids without letting them know that money is not falling from a tree, and that you need to work to save for it to before you can do nice things. this mean making sure they help you with small jobs in the home, like watering garden, cleaning their bike, cleaning out the dishwashing machine or helping to cover the diner table and clean up after. We have done it for past 2 years and the boys are very happy.

New York Trip: One day we were talking about the places we need to discover when we go on summer holidays. We have been in Turkey, Portugal, Germany,  Belgium, Spain but not yet in United States of America. We all pick the same country United States of America. We made it a Project plan and target to go during the year that Rio will be going to the second year of high school and Akira is finishing Primairy school. We WILL go on that trip and meanwhile we all contribute by doing small jobs and saving money for it. We are very excited to make this trip happen and the boys start counting the money which goes into our saving account and look forward to the days that come! Today was a very beautiful day to work on our family project.They cleaned the backfiets outside of our garden after having a brunch together!

I am very proud to share this family project. It's very nice to stimulate our kids to learn doing things while they are helping out for something great! And in the end they will feel they really made our dream come true together!
Peace ,
Eliane

The voices of Batwa Women and Girls.

It's International Women Day,  the whole World is talking about the celebration of women, equal rights , health & reproductive rights, gender rights, etc. It all sound well done, but in many places like where I come from, Burundi and Africa Great Lakes, we have a long way to go when come to Women equals rights.
Today I choose to this special day for Women to dedicate it to Batwa Women and girls from Burundi.
Who are Batwa Women and girls?
They are women like me, who happen to come from an other ethnic group, the Batwa(Pgymees) Indigenous which are heavily marginalised. Many of those women suffer from decades of multiple forms of disadvantage and discrimination.
Today I want you to know what Batwa women and girls are going through everyday in country where Law favorize only men.
I want the World to know that Batwa women and girls are discriminated against for being Batwa and experience gender discrimination as majority of women do. Can you imagine the trauma they go through everyday by being everyday sexually abused  simple because of this particular Myth of having Sex with Batwa Women and girls cure a backache and HIV and AIDS .This lead to Batwa women and girls being raped by men from others communities and even from Batwa Men. I remember asking the question  about how to treat HIV during my visit to Batwa communities while I was giving education on HIV and AIDS. Some men reponded that "Our Mutwa women are the cure". That moment i knew they needed to hear my story and see my medication. That is a small part of a country I have managed to reach.
We have so many organizations working for Humans rights, Gender Equality and Women rights if I am not mistaken. Are they aware of this situation?  While celebrating International Women Day I would like to invite  every women to take a minute and sympatize with our indigenous Batwa women and girls from Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

Happy women's Day!

Peace ,

Eliane

Valentine's Day

I have to share my thought about this particular date of year 14th February where almost the whole world celebrate "Valentine" als a day of Love.
Love should not have one day of the year to be celebrated like Christmas Day or other important days in Year.
Love should be celebrated everyday and with our beloved ones and friends.
I am telling you yesterday 14 February I did not see it as a V-Day but a day I celebrate the Birthday of a man I love.

How did it go?
Our children needed first to go to school in morning.Afternoon around 15h it was our moment of celebration
We surprised him with beautiful presents and we went for walk around undiscovered parts of our Amersfoort. We discover together a New Bar restaurent Hoog Vuur where in summer we going to discover it's beauty when its warm.
Then we walk along the water direction Eemplein. My family had no idea where we were heading till the moment we entered La Cubanita Amersfoort. It was a great surprise for all and I enjoyed reading the smile in their faces.
While we had a big table of 5 people I realized it's really valentine's day for so many people. Every table around us had 2 people. Then I asked myself why should we celebrate once a year the Love?Meanwhile I enjoyed being surrounded by my children amd husband.Those are the most loved people in my life.
Celebrating my husband's birthday on 14th February I call it a double blessing day!
Happy V-birthday my love !
Peace Eliane

Talents and Motivation

Hello again.
Last Saturday was the second event for Face of Winter Netherlands.It's a charity campaign designed to reach out to people  in need especially the homeless during the winter seasons.

We choose new Queen and the two Ambassadors who will continue the charity work at Face of Winter Netherlands.
I have been chosen last year as Migrant youth Ambassador in Nederland and HIV activist.
My role the whole year was to educate people on HIV and Aids,share my story with homeless people and motivate them for HIV testing  so then they can know their status .Prevention =treatement
As I always like to find out in such event how many people actually has knoledge of HIV or has any update .The number is always surprising.
Well HIV can go together with beauty,talents and this has proven already after my African dance performence that no where to read my status unless I tell you myself. Which is why people were pretty amazed to hear my HIV story after they have seen how much energy I have used during my performence.This was my great opportunity to explain the use of #UequalsU#.These people needed to hear the great News of People living with HIV. I said "People I came to tell you that I am a lucky girl. I know my status and I have been on treatment last past 15 years.I am undetectable and Untransmittable. Which means I can not give my HIV to anyone of you." My advice is that everyone should make it a priority to do HIV testing.Find out your status and get treated on time. U=U is scientifiquely proeven. Before stimatizing someone think twice if you really know that much about your own health.
After my speach ,many people appreciate my informations and some came direct to ask few questions .I realized there is so much to be done.The U=U is not only good message for us People living with HIV is also important to everyone if we want to reduce the stigma.It takes a fear away.
I am proud I could make a different during my one year as Ambassador and I will continue to provide education to any one in need.In Netherlands and In other part of World.

The Face of Winter Netherlands  rewarded  me the Certificate of appreciation for the amazing work I have done last 2017.

Let's keep spreading the word .No more shame,no more taboe.

Eliane 

Happy New Year ,Happy New Me!

We are at the end of the year and I can't stop thinking about all the changes I faced this last year.
I have been able to make some of my deams come true. Like travelling to Burundi helping Batwa for HIV education. It went well and I thank many of you for your help. I had other challenges regarding my health where I almost got blind by the silly Diabetes . For quite a while my sight was getting worst. I was not confidence to bike in evening, I got blinded by the night lights. I was glad here in the Netherlands they had a solution to my problem. I had an operation to both of my eyes; the first in November, 3 days before reaching my 41st birthday, and another in December, after christmas. I am delighted to share with you that my eyes are now in Good shape. I can see 150 % and 120% to the newely operated eye.
This New year is going to be more positive and beautiful year. I am thankful to be around my lovely family. I dream of a Wold  full of peace and love where I can continue doing my Cultural activicties and my Hiv activisme, especially in Africa and in other places of the World.

Happy New year, Happy new Me!

I wish all of you and your family a Happy New year 2018!

Dear Santa

It's Christmas seasons ,many people are expecting Santa Clause to come and share presents for good and bad people.As Mutwa child(Pygmee child) I have been all year good! Should I expect any present from Santa?

Dear Santa I have a question. Do you know how Batwa children celebrate  Christmas?We have heard about you everytime during Christmas seasons.Did you ever see where I live? My parents wish to give me Chrismas present but they can not afford  it. Living in house with no roof our wishes are "Could you give us a beautiful home as Christmas present?" I kind of miss sleeping in dry house. Here I count all nights during the rainy season. Many Batwa children in my village sleep in house like this and We barely have toys to play with . But our concerns is living healthy ,go to school and plan our beter future.
How  do we do that when some of Us never get a chance to have all school materials? We know you love children, right Santa? Do you love Us too? We are Batwa children and deserve your love!
Please come to Us this Christmas seasons .If you are too busy send some Angels to reach our villages in Burundi.
I trust you Santa , I have seen you in my dream. I am hoping to see you in real life.
Thank you again,
The Voice of Mutwa Child.
Peace,
Eliane

Embrace!

I have been thinking the easy way to share some of the important guidance to people who have just been diagnosed with HIV. I did not have a chance a few years ago when I was diagnosed, there was no internet where people could read information.It was doctor words against my words.I did not get any advice So here I can help after my 15 years of living with HIV.

The first thing to do after you find out your HIV status is to search for informations instead of start counting the days left for you to die with negative thoughts.
Embrace your HIV status .You are lucky to find out because with right medications you will live a long, healthy life like anyone else.
Don't fight it, it won't help you it will only put you down.

Be Positive and don't change who you are .HIV is just a chronic disease.It is manageble for people who aware of their status.
It is not the end of the World and please don't think anyone can smell that you are HIV positive .It is also not written into your face .
Take it easy and you don't have to be open about it only when you feel you are READY.
So please make peace within yourself and get ready because once you are out of the closet ,there is no turning back. STIGMA out there will be waiting for your response.You need a strong positive mind  to fight back against any Stigma and discrimination around HIV and AIDS.
Be sure you are ready for this!

Yes your Freedom is your Right but not always this is the case.Sometimes we need to take it slow and see how far we get!
Be positive Be you!
Peace !
Eliane

Gonne but Not Forgotten

It's a World AIDS Day.
The whole World is celebrating this day in commemoration of People we have lost because of Aids. These people did not have a chance to survive.There was no medication available yet so they have died in so much pain in SILENCE.

SILENCE AND STIGMA ARE THE KILLERS

In many countries those two things are mostly the killers. People have been put in silence because of Stigma around HIV and AIDS. We are not allowed to talk about it in some part of the World. It is still a crime to have HIV .

The times have change, medication is available but still people are dying of AIDS while the World is watching.
My friend Gloria In this foto she lost her brother because of Aids and I lost my Cousin and her husband same time in 2015 . We are remembering them this World Aids Day. We are reminded of how lucky we are to have made it till this day.
We are open  about our HIV status and we give education on HIV and Aids.
Everyday we are breaking the Silence and the taboo.
We are the Voice for many who have lost their voice because of whatever reason they can not speak up.
We can not turn the clock back for our departed , We will miss them but they are not forgotten.
Happy World AIDS DAY.
Peace
Eliane

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