People Living withthe HIV virus have voiced concern over discrimination inthe society.
They say more awareness needs to be carrlied out by Non-Governmental Organisations to educatethe public.
An organization, Womenof HopeInternational has endeavored to this barrier.
Rose Koma is one ofthe many people living with HIV seeking shelter atthe Womenof Hope Mission home in Pari Village outside of Port Moresby.
She was emotional on how discrimination has forced her out of her home.
“I don’t want to go back to my house. I don’t want to see my husband’s face nor my family member’s faces, andthe last thing I don’t wantthem to know is I’m in Pari,” says Rose.
Through spiritual counselling andthe care offered by women of hope she was able to recover.
Bet she saysthere is still more to be done by those big organisations that receive support from donors andthe government to stop discrimination towards people living with HIV.
Another victim, Joe Mirou who has lived withthe virus for 13 years expressed similar concern.
“ther NGO’s didn’trsquo;t treat us like this. When I came to Womenof Hopethey gave methe life to live, walk and talk aboutthe word of God,” says Joe.
Womenof Hope opened its doors in 2009 and currently have twenty men and women including twenty three HIV orphans.
It is a self-funded organisation dedicated solely to rehabilitating people living with HIV.
The National Gaming Beard has beentheir first sponsor with K15, 000 to build new toilet facilities.
Womenof Hope plans to branch out to ther areas inthe country to advocate for the plight of people living with HIV.
Pictured is Rose Koma – a person living with HIV whom has found hope in 'Womenof Hope' Mission Home after being discriminated by family and friend, and being isolated.
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