Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - September 30, 2009
Arthur Baguma
It has been a long day's work for Magezi Mawanda, a counsellor at Ishaka Hospital, but he can still smile at me.
He counsels about 120 people who come for HIV testing and counselling at Ishaka Hospital everyday. Many discordant couples too go to him for advice and counselling.
Magezi is not an ordinary man. Commonly known as kawonawo (survivor) in his village of Kigoma Nyabubare in Bushenyi district, he has gone through difficult times in the past and come out strong.
What is surprising is that this well built man who now weighs 84kgs once weighed only 28kgs.
Ten years ago, Magezi's only claim to fame was a man bed-ridden for four months and always in and out of hospital. However, the power of words and counselling was his turning point.
An innovative door-to-door HIV counselling and testing programme in Bushenyi run by the Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) helped him discover the truth about his health.
"All he wanted was to be convinced to test for HIV. He had gone to all hospitals but his condition never improved," says a senior counselor at Ishaka hospital.
After hesitantly agreeing to test with his wife, his fears were confirmed. He was suffering from full blown AIDS. His world came crushing in on him. His wife and children tested negative. It became another discovery of a discordant couple.
Magezi was immediately referred to Ishaka Adventist Hospital for tuberculosis screening and treatment assessment. He was bed ridden for four months. "My life was over.
All I was left with was to recite my last prayer and go meet my creator," he says. His CD4 count was 10 and he weighed 28kg, almost the size of half a bag of cement.
He was put on treatment and close supervision. With regular follow up visits and counselling, his health greatly improved.
His experience is a true life and death story of how words can save lives and breathe inspiration into emotions of a dying body.
Consistent counselling also gave him the confidence to disclose his status publicly in order to fight stigma.
The desire to help others not to end up in the same situation is what has made him a hero in the fight against HIV/AIDS. And his efforts have also been internationally recognised.
He has won several accolades, including an award from Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This Award is given to you in appreciation for sharing your experience and story about Basic Care Package in Uganda on public health," the inscriptions on the plaque reads.
From the fangs of death he has risen to be healthy and rich. He is the proprietor of Paramount Senior Secondary school in Bushenyi. He is a successful farmer and owner of a multi-million posh house.
He has extensively trained as a counselor and peer educator. He established post-test clubs using music dance and drama as a tool to fight HIV/AIDS.
He has been active in politics and has been elected a councillor at sub-county level.
"He has been giving testimonies all over Uganda mainly at functions like churches, weddings, funeral services, in schools and workshops," says Rwambuka Mathew, a resident.
Area leaders say that at least 20 pupils each nominated by a church at parish level are getting free education at Magezi's school. The things he has done after declaring his status are much more than what he did before.
At public gatherings, his presence cannot go unnoticed. "I always advise people to test for HIV/AIDS and if you are like me, take drugs and live positively.
I have embraced life as an ambassador of positive living," Magezi says.
Fighting stigma
Magezi cautions against stigmatising people living with HIV/AIDS, citing the love and acceptance given to him by his wife and children.
"My wife did not desert me. She is negative and she encourages me and reminds me to take my medicine on time. Even my children know my status but they are very supportive. "
The couple walked down the aisle in 1992. Magezi uses condoms as a preventive measure to avoid infecting his wife.
"I may not know where I contracted the disease and I don't want to speculate about how I got it. But my first knowledge about HIV/AIDS was in 1988," Magezi says of how he got infected.
He advises people to go for a test to establish their status. Those who are HIV positive should live a positive life and abstain from sexual activities.
Those who are young should keep away from sugar daddies and mummies. The married should be faithful to one another. And if one intends to marry they should first go for an HIV/AIDS test.
"If you are negative don't shun or look at those living with HIV/AIDS with contempt. I think those living with it should be at the forefront of fighting against the disease," he says.
Academic, professional highlights
Studied at RwakashomaPrimary School in Bushenyi where he completed his PLE
1981: Joined Nyabubare Senior Secondary School - O-level
1996: Obtained A diploma in Human Resource Management from Institute of Professional Management (I.P.M)
Undertook short courses in military training, beekeeping honey production, Training of trainers in Community Theatre
Community counseling and palliative care training
Peer educator training: 1987-1994 NRA ( now UPDF) | 1988-1990- Pay Clerk | 1990-1994-Pay Master
FACT FILE
Name: Sarapio Magezi Mawanda | Location: Kigoma LC1, Nyabubare, Bushenyi District | Project: Senior Peer Counselor/ Community Counselor, Ishaka Adventist Hospital | Impact: Has counseled young people and his testimony has encouraged many to publicly declare their status and embrace positive living | Contact: 0774029664
090930
NV090930
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