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) - November 15, 2009
Frederick Womakuyu
GRAVES of his two deceased wives in his backyard, an HIV-positive son, and himself living with the virus - these are some of the many trials Joseph Wadiezi is trying to put up with. Heart-rending, one may think, but Wadiezi does not look at it that way. He, instead, believes, as the Bible teaches, that through death comes eternal life.
His devastating experience has opened up the door to a new life of compassion and has given him strength and courage to fight HIV. He achieved this by first declaring his status publicly and going ahead to disseminate information and create public awareness about the scourge.
"I believe this is the best way I can thank God for keeping me alive - giving his people the information that can save them. If He had not given me a chance to test and know my status, I would be dead by now," he says as we ride on his rusty bicycle towards the church, where he is scheduled to hold an HIV/AIDS awareness meeting.
"You all know that you must test to know your status. Physical looks can be deceptive. It is such looks that are driving many people to early graves," he tells the listeners during the meeting.
"Look at me. Can any one suspect that I have the virus? Physically I look okay. How many young women would turn me down if I proposed to them?" he goes on amidst murmurs and nods from the participants.
"AIDS does not segregate. It goes for both the young and the old. That young beautiful girl may throw you into a deep pit.
Some children are born with the disease and the only way one can know one's status avoid infection is to test and guard against the infection," he adds.
Wadiezi tells the audience to be faithful to their partners, abstaining (for the unmarried) or use condoms (for those unable to abstain).
During the session, he stresses the need to test and offers to lead those who want to test to health centres. "For those who are HIV-positive, do not give up because I will counsel you and help you access drugs. You must also avoid alcohol," he says.
When time for questions comes, Moses Wazemba, 27, asks: "Two days ago, I tested HIV-positive. Can I go for ARVs?" Wadiezi explains to the listeners that it is only qualified medical personnel who can prescribe ARVs after ascertaining a person's condition.
He tells them that many tests are done to determine whether someone should start treatment and what type of treatment suits them. At the end of the session, over 10 people express willingness to go for testing.
Wadieze who volunteers at Bukhalu Health Centre III advises people to go for counselling which has become part of his daily routine.
From the meeting, Wadieze rides to Naluwali village in Sironko district where he is supposed to meet a client.
Pascal Wolimba, 41, narrates: "I was about to die. Wadiezi came here about 20 times to encourage me to go for a test. At last I accepted and he led me to the health centre. When I tested positive, he counselled me and helped me to access treatment. I am better today and I have given up the idea of committing suicide which I nursed at the beginning," he says.
Wolimba's wife, Safina Atundi, 21, who tested positive this year, says when she started falling sick, she never suspected anything like HIV.
"I feared that if I tested positive, I would die of worries but Wadiezi convinced me to go. Before I went, he counselled me and told me that I would not die if I discover my status and start medication early. I am no longer worried and do my work normally," she explains.
Sitting in a compound a few metres away is Fina Nelima, 29, who quickly confesses how Wadiezi brought her back from the dead to life.
"I could not walk. He carried me to the hospital to test. When I tested positive, he helped me access medication and now I am healthy and proud to say that I have joined the campaign against AIDS," she says.
Every Sunday, Wadiezi moves from one church to another and asks for a minute to talk to the congregation about AIDS. "Many people believe that when they pray they will be cured of AIDS but I always tell them prayer alone will not help them.
I encourage them to test and get treatment," he says. Wadiezi who distributes condoms to the community has helped over 100,000 people to get tested and over 6,000 to access ARVs in the counties of Bulambuli, Budadiri East and West in Sironko district.
He says his major challenge is limited funds to facilitate his movements. "The health centres where people can get these services are very far. The services should be taken to Health Centres III and II," he adds.
Born in Buchibole village in Sironko district, Wadiezi says his AIDS fight started after the death of his second wife in 2003. When his first wife died, he did not know the cause of death.
"These two didn't test for HIV. When I tested positive, I decided not to re-marry but embark on a sensitisation campaign."
He says he first heard of AIDS in 1988 when people were talking about an illness that made people thin like a pipe and turned their hair brown.
He says he woke up to the reality when he lost his wives, 12 other relatives and several neighbours. "I still remember the day I tested HIV positive. It was like a death sentence. I was shattered," he says.
Wadieze, the second born in a family of eight children, dropped out of school in S.4 slightly before his final exams because of lack of school fees. After that he married.
"That is when misery struck. I will continue fighting the virus that took away my happiness and I believe together we can wipe out the virus."
Name: Joseph Wadiezi | Age: 39 | Location: Sironko district | Contribution: Encourages people to abstain and access ARVs | Position: Voluntary counsellor at Bukhalu Health Centre IV | Contact: +256779979904, +256779460382
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