Champions of HIV Documentary honoured
Treat All Champions were yesterday awarded with certificates for the outstanding work that they have done throughout the year in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS across the country. Their documentary has benefitted all age groups as it features both the young and the old from 19 to 72 years old. The documentary is an initiative of the American Embassy in collaboration with PEPFAR, the ministry of health, NACA and BONEPWA. BONEPWA has four districts of the seven priority districts in the country. Through this initiative, 30 Treat All champions were trained in public speaking skills, so that they can communicate messages clearly to people living with HIV. All the champions are living positively with HIV. The objective of the initiative is to reduce stigma as more people living with HIV talk about their lifestyles and status to enable more people to relate and accept them. All the champions present at the event expressed gratitude at the initiative, saying it has helped to reduce stigma and also helped in educating more people on HIV. ARV Therapy Coordinator, Layani Mandiwana-Malemane said there has been stigma around HIV, which prevents people from enrolling on treatment once they test positive. This she said contributed to the numbers of infected people who didn’t enrol in treatment. “Today we celebrate champions, the people living openly with HIV and 12 of them have collectively shared their stories through the Treat All documentary,” she said, adding that this will help control the epidemic. Some of the Champions were awarded with special awards for the hard work that they have put in making people aware of HIV. Pontsho Lesenyo Sekisang, 21, was awarded with the Outstanding Work in reaching key populations while Stanley Monageng was awarded for Travelling long distances to reach the most communities.