Posted by:
Rick Perera on
August 5, 2008 at
4:16PM EST
At the 2008 International AIDS conference in Mexico City,
an event the size of a small city, it is a relief to see some familiar
faces. I already knew a handful of the 30 colleagues from around the CARE
world who gathered for a meeting before the conference, but the others, too, were like
family.
Dr. Jose Sool, of CARE India, told of formerly isolated
sex workers who have organized into solidarity groups, encouraging each other
to protect themselves and educate others about HIV prevention. Aliwena
Mologo, of CARE Malawi, described how adolescents, left alone to care for
younger siblings after their parents have died, have joined forces to form
small businesses, sharing, saving, and reinvesting their profits.
In communities around the world, it is the power of
togetherness that is giving people the strength to fight on in the face of this
cruel and relentless virus. A day together with CARE colleagues from
around the globe gave us the same sense of empowerment, as we each do our own
small part in this work.
And then we went our separate ways, to different corners of
the vast convention center, refreshed and renewed in our commitment to learn
and share.
Below, Millicent Obaso, Regional HIV/AIDS Advisor for CARE East
& Central Africa, speaks about her personal experiences and how
she got into HIV/AIDS work.
I have heard of medical professionals from three different countries telling HIV suffers that there is no known way to boost their immune systems. I know of three ways which improve the quality of life in sufferers and perhaps length of life, which should be scientifically studied. Colostrum capsules are known to boost the immune system and the active ingredients have been copied and are now anti-viral drugs. According to an article in ‘New Scientist’ magazine high levels of vitamin C also do this. And so does body building. I use a ‘Bull Worker’ because it is the cheapest way of doing it. When all three methods are used there is an improvement in the quality of life. Just a glance in a book on herbs elicits even more substances that can build up the immune system. We must use them all to alleviate symptoms until a cure arrives.
