How HIV positive teachers tackle stigma

Decades after the HIV epidemic was discovered in Kenya, aggravated whispers on the syndrome seem to have cooled down.

However, behind the curtains, victims, especially the elite, are still struggling to contain the stigma associated with the epidemic.

Teachers from Kisumu County, who revealed their HIV status, for instance, narrate how widespread stigma has made it a tough balance for them.

And in 2007, when Teachers Service Commission (TSC) learnt of the impact of HIV on teachers, it initiated a scheme dubbed, Kenya Network of HIV Positive Teachers (KENEPOTE), to support local teachers living with HIV and tame stigmatisation. The seven-day event held at Egerton University, Njoro, brought together HIV positive teachers from all over the country to share their experiences.

Common figures

The Ministry of Health data indicates that Kisumu County has a HIV prevalence rate of 17 per cent.

Already, 104 teachers have identified with the association and openly discuss their status. County TSC Director Patrick Nyagosia acknowledges that the KENEPOTE concerns could be true, but none has been brought to their attention.

Paul Angira and Margret Echesa have become common figures among their colleagues for their unrelenting campaign against HIV stigma. The KENEPOTE secretary and treasurer respectively, have expressed fear that teachers continue to shy from sharing their HIV status for fear of discrimination.

Angira, a teacher at Hongo Radhiang Primary School in Nyando declared his status after the forum, having lived positively for 13 years. Even though he had shown signs of ailment and depreciated morale at work, none of his colleagues thought he could have been HIV positive. “I discovered my status in the 90s when I worked in Siaya,” noted Angira.

But after suffering in silence for long, a nurse at New Nyanza Provincial Hospital offered counseling services, which enabled Angira to enroll for drugs and various patient support systems.

HIV positive teachers attend counseling sessions and their regular support group meetings, which force them to be away from school for some time.

However, when their bosses are not aware of their conditions, they are given limited time, whoever stays away for longer is reported to TSC for disciplinary action, unfortunately, some of them get dismissed.

Echesa, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Lions High School in Kisumu, says her colleagues were suspicious of her status because of the dark spots on her body and her frequent illness.

For instance, she says during tea break, her colleagues would prefer she uses a specific cup, which would be isolated from the rest. Worse still, they could not even borrow pens or any other basics from her.

The mother of two lived in denial for almost a decade and only accepted her condition after the death of her husband in early 2000.

“I could not bear the discrimination and ridicule from colleagues and church members,” she recalls.

Other teachers talked of similar experiences while others claim their performance is affected due to trauma given the fact they do not feel free to share their status.

They are now calling upon their fellow teachers not to shy off, but to declare, accept and appreciate their status.