BOTSWANA TRUMPED
Onalethata Mpebe, founder of Positive Moments organisation, knows first-hand the challenges of living with HIV.
Since going public about her status in 2015, she has dedicated her life to helping others.
But now, the organisation she built to support people living with HIV is at risk of losing key projects due to the suspension of US funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
For many in Botswana, this means more than just the loss of programmes, it could mean losing access to life-saving services and care.
Positive Moments has been a lifeline for thousands, providing HIV prevention, treatment, and care services raising awareness, empowerment and life skills activities and school intervention among
others.
With PEPFAR’s help, Mpebe and her team ran projects like “You Can Have It All,” a campaign that encouraged people to get tested, start treatment, and stick with it.
They followed up with people who had stopped their treatment, visited homes, and provided much-needed counselling.
“We have seen people turn their lives around. But now, that support is slipping away. These are not just services. These are people's lives,” Mpebe said, her voice steady but urgent.
Another critical project was Community Led Monitoring, which gathered feedback from clinics and communities to improve HIV services.
“We made sure that people’s voices were heard,” Mpebe says. “But now, without funding, we can’t continue this work. It’s devastating.”
The loss of PEPFAR funding will impact vital services such as HIV testing, treatment for tuberculosis (TB), and programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“These services are crucial for mothers, young girls, and even foreigners who rely on us,” Mpebe explains.
Safe male circumcision, cervical cancer screenings, and support for LGBTQI communities are also in jeopardy.
“Without these programmes, so many people will fall through the cracks,” she adds.
Behind the statistics and funding discussions lie real stories of transformation. A young mother, who tested positive during pregnancy two years ago, found hope through Mpebe's social media presence.
“She has been happy and accepted herself ever since,” a close friend who helped connect her to Positive Moments, testified.
“She has even forgotten she ever cried about her diagnosis. Now we joke together.”
Another community member said Mpebe’s work made it easy for her to realise it is not the end of life. She was down on the day she was diagnosed, wondering how she would live and face people.
“But through Mpebe, I saw there is life after HIV.”
One of the biggest concerns for Mpebe is the gap in HIV prevention and awareness.
“People think that by now, everyone knows about HIV, but that is not true. Many young girls don’t use protection, and some are in relationships with older men, which puts them at even higher risk.”
Stigma is still a major problem, too. “People are afraid to be seen going to clinics for treatment. Many have not told their families they have HIV because they fear being judged,” she said.
The halt in PEPFAR funding means more than just losing programmes it could also lead to the closure of organisations that provide HIV testing and support for vulnerable groups.
“We are talking about hundreds of people losing jobs, and communities losing access to care,” Mpebe said, adding that, “Without funding, we are not only losing projects; we are losing people who were essential to the fight against HIV”.
Clinics that once offered HIV services, like Tebelopele and LEGABIBO, have already shut down, leaving a huge void.
For those who rely on Positive Moments, the impact is personal. Mpebe has seen how access to services like antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has saved lives.
“I have helped people who were too scared to start treatment, people who were ashamed of their status, and those who had given up. Without these programmes, many won’t get the help they need in time,” she said.
Botswana has made great progress in the fight against HIV, becoming a model for other countries. The country has reduced new infections and increased access to treatment, reaching key milestones like the 95-95-95 targets.
But without PEPFAR, this progress is in danger. “Botswana was leading the fight, but now we are at risk of falling behind,” Mpebe warned. “We are trying to become self-reliant, but this funding cut makes it much harder.”
Positive Moments is now looking for other ways to keep their work going. Mpebe hopes to find new donors and explore different funding options, including crowdfunding.
“We can’t give up,” she said. “Too many people are depending on us.”
Despite the challenges, Mpebe is determined to continue helping her community. Helping people accept their status and supporting them through tough times is the most fulfilling work Mpebe feels she has ever done.
But for her, the fight is bigger than just one organisation. She’s calling on the international community to step in.
“We need help now more than ever. If we are going to end HIV by 2030, we can’t do it alone.”
“Everyone can do something, no matter how small. We all have a role to play in ending HIV. Let’s come together to build stronger communities and fight for a future where no one has to fear HIV.”
Since going public about her status in 2015, she has dedicated her life to helping others.
But now, the organisation she built to support people living with HIV is at risk of losing key projects due to the suspension of US funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
For many in Botswana, this means more than just the loss of programmes, it could mean losing access to life-saving services and care.
Positive Moments has been a lifeline for thousands, providing HIV prevention, treatment, and care services raising awareness, empowerment and life skills activities and school intervention among
others.
With PEPFAR’s help, Mpebe and her team ran projects like “You Can Have It All,” a campaign that encouraged people to get tested, start treatment, and stick with it.
They followed up with people who had stopped their treatment, visited homes, and provided much-needed counselling.
“We have seen people turn their lives around. But now, that support is slipping away. These are not just services. These are people's lives,” Mpebe said, her voice steady but urgent.
Another critical project was Community Led Monitoring, which gathered feedback from clinics and communities to improve HIV services.
“We made sure that people’s voices were heard,” Mpebe says. “But now, without funding, we can’t continue this work. It’s devastating.”
The loss of PEPFAR funding will impact vital services such as HIV testing, treatment for tuberculosis (TB), and programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“These services are crucial for mothers, young girls, and even foreigners who rely on us,” Mpebe explains.
Safe male circumcision, cervical cancer screenings, and support for LGBTQI communities are also in jeopardy.
“Without these programmes, so many people will fall through the cracks,” she adds.
Behind the statistics and funding discussions lie real stories of transformation. A young mother, who tested positive during pregnancy two years ago, found hope through Mpebe's social media presence.
“She has been happy and accepted herself ever since,” a close friend who helped connect her to Positive Moments, testified.
“She has even forgotten she ever cried about her diagnosis. Now we joke together.”
Another community member said Mpebe’s work made it easy for her to realise it is not the end of life. She was down on the day she was diagnosed, wondering how she would live and face people.
“But through Mpebe, I saw there is life after HIV.”
One of the biggest concerns for Mpebe is the gap in HIV prevention and awareness.
“People think that by now, everyone knows about HIV, but that is not true. Many young girls don’t use protection, and some are in relationships with older men, which puts them at even higher risk.”
Stigma is still a major problem, too. “People are afraid to be seen going to clinics for treatment. Many have not told their families they have HIV because they fear being judged,” she said.
The halt in PEPFAR funding means more than just losing programmes it could also lead to the closure of organisations that provide HIV testing and support for vulnerable groups.
“We are talking about hundreds of people losing jobs, and communities losing access to care,” Mpebe said, adding that, “Without funding, we are not only losing projects; we are losing people who were essential to the fight against HIV”.
Clinics that once offered HIV services, like Tebelopele and LEGABIBO, have already shut down, leaving a huge void.
For those who rely on Positive Moments, the impact is personal. Mpebe has seen how access to services like antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has saved lives.
“I have helped people who were too scared to start treatment, people who were ashamed of their status, and those who had given up. Without these programmes, many won’t get the help they need in time,” she said.
Botswana has made great progress in the fight against HIV, becoming a model for other countries. The country has reduced new infections and increased access to treatment, reaching key milestones like the 95-95-95 targets.
But without PEPFAR, this progress is in danger. “Botswana was leading the fight, but now we are at risk of falling behind,” Mpebe warned. “We are trying to become self-reliant, but this funding cut makes it much harder.”
Positive Moments is now looking for other ways to keep their work going. Mpebe hopes to find new donors and explore different funding options, including crowdfunding.
“We can’t give up,” she said. “Too many people are depending on us.”
Despite the challenges, Mpebe is determined to continue helping her community. Helping people accept their status and supporting them through tough times is the most fulfilling work Mpebe feels she has ever done.
But for her, the fight is bigger than just one organisation. She’s calling on the international community to step in.
“We need help now more than ever. If we are going to end HIV by 2030, we can’t do it alone.”
“Everyone can do something, no matter how small. We all have a role to play in ending HIV. Let’s come together to build stronger communities and fight for a future where no one has to fear HIV.”
