Transforming beliefs and behaviour

HIV has a terrible stigma attached to it. Yes, it can lead to AIDS and death – and it can stay dormant for years if patients look after themselves well and maintain the strength of their immune systems. And the stigma attached to it is far higher than for any other disease. People suffering from it, and their families, can be lonely and unsupported, and feel victimized – “why me?”  This can be particularly hard for women, and for victims of rape.  Part of that shame is simply because HIV is generally transmitted sexually – and we have a culture in which sex itself can be regarded as shameful.  That alone makes it hard to talk about HIV, its transmission, safe sex practises..  We want to remove the shame which attaches to the disease, to shine a light on it. We also want to address the sense of victimization that can characterize HIV. The mental emotional state is often one of powerlessness, “What the point?”, giving up, worthlessness, shame, guilt and fear – and denial, blame, anger – “What are you going to do for me?” , and deep despair leading to lack of responsibility or care about others, in turn leading to irresponsible sexual conduct infecting others without concern for their well being. Despair about life and the state of the world feeling deeply uncared for.

These deep underlying completely understandable emotions can be difficult to deal with - for the person affected, for those around them, and for the community. These feelings need to be addressed and call for healing as much as the disease. Coming back to a sense of self-worth, self-love,  and a place of peace and joy and addressing all those issues are part of the journey of anyone facing HIV.

Disease affects the whole body, and the mind and spirit, and so in our treatment programs we address the whole person, including our responsibility for our own and others’ health and wellbeing.

When people come to be treated by EMF they sit in a field for 2 1/2 hours a day for 13 days. with others who are similarly affected. In such an environment, people support each other, and a sense of community is fostered.This is a great opportunity for education and to create support networks. We also provide counselling and healing at emotional and spiritual levels as well as the physical level.

An opportunity to give back.

In the past many people were treated with EMF and then did not give back to others in any way. It seems there can be such stigma and taboo around being HIV positive that many people, once they feel better, just want to forget their past. We want to change that, To help erode stigma and shame and to help create an environment in which we take responsibility for our actions, acknowledge help that others give us, and give back. We do not have the backing of big finances or sponsorships- most research funding is for pharmaceutically based treatments.

We would like treated people to be willing to talk about their experiences. We would like them to talk to their friends, family, work colleagues. To help dissolve shame and isolation.

We hope that as many as possible of those treated will have rigorous before and after clinical testing. This testing is expensive, and all of this requires money and funding. 

IWe hope to help transform attitudes and empower people to become responsible caring citizens and to look at what they can give back as they become well.

Photos by Danielle Kummer