Vhuhwavho Nevhungoni, though
merely 14 years old has already made an impact
on the lives of many young people living in the Limpopo Province of South
Africa. By turning her back on the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, she
fearlessly speaks out in favor of the imperative practice of taking ARV
medications faithfully and without embarrassment or fear of discrimination.
Born to a mother who died at 35 (when
Vhuhwavho was 2 years old) from the HIV+ virus, “Woo” (as she is affectionately
called) learned to take responsibility for her own ARVs at the tender age of 4
years. Her foster mother, Sue Anne Cook,
Director of the Vhutshilo Mountain School taught Woo the critical necessity of
daily medication management.
Once Woo learned to oversee
her own daily medications she was invited to the Siloam Hospital AIDS Clinic to
teach and encourage other children to do the same. She spoke tirelessly with positivity
and encouragement though she was but a young child herself.
Recognizing the need to teach
other young children how to live with HIV/AIDS and how to flourish with the
support of other similarly afflicted children, she and Sue Anne created a
pediatric Anti Retro Viral (ARV) support group for children. The support group has now grown to 150 young
boys and girls (62 of whom are teenagers). Because of the large numbers, and
the problems with transport, “satellite” support groups have been started at 4
clinics in other villages. The original 22 youngsters who are now teenagers
facilitated the support group meetings at the “satellite” clinics. This has
made a huge impact on the new children as they are so open about their status
and look so healthy.
Woo’s accomplishments do not
stop here. We encourage you to read more
about this amazing young lady and will invite you to correspond with her
directly. Watch for our next blog.
