In Benin, new patients are still being diagnosed with HIV. People living with HIV (PLHIV) are often among the poorest of the population and can face social stigma by their community. 

Motivated by a desire to demonstrate the love of God, SIMaid’s Hope for Life Benin project provides holistic care to PLHIV and their families to improve their health and living conditions. The team dispenses medical treatment to PLHIV to reduce infection and mortality rates from HIV and AIDS at two clinics and three mobile clinics. Patients and their families are also encouraged to attend the support groups, counselling, and events the team hosts. 

HFL Benin also provides education and testing to communities so that people can have an increased awareness and understanding of HIV and AIDS. The team is training about 14 volunteers to assist with support groups, home visits and the follow-up of patients who miss their appointments at the clinics. Two adult support groups meet monthly to learn about HIV-related topics, hear a devotional and participate in income-generating activities. A children’s group also meets to learn about health and hygiene, play games, enjoy crafts and activities and hear a devotional. 

Rachel’s story

When the HFL Benin team first met Rachel*, she was pregnant with her first child. Sadly, her husband passed away during the pregnancy. During a routine test at the maternity ward, she discovered she was HIV positive. Rachel began taking antiretroviral medication (the medicine for HIV) and closely followed the protocol for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Praise God she had a healthy baby! Her child is now 12 years old. 

Since then, Rachel has been a member of HFL Benin’s women’s support group. She is gifted in maths and manages the village savings and loans initiative. One of HFL Benin’s clinics is able to help several women each year to start a small business or other income generating activity of their choice. Rachel was one of the women chosen to receive this help due to her diligence and determination to make the best of every opportunity. 

She now makes and sells enriched flour for porridge, sorghum flour for making pate and liquid soap. She also buys and resells shoes, purses and handbags. Rachel receives a lot of pressure from her family to remarry but whenever a man who is interested learns of her HIV status, he abandons her. The team prays that she will find someone who will accept her as she is. The team is proud of Rachel’s transformation and pray that she comes to know true and everlasting Hope. 

*Name changed to protect identity 
 

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GIVE: Help more people living with HIV in Africa and Asia access holistic medical care! Your tax-deductible gift to Hope for Life (09330) can help transform lives. You can give at sim.org.au/hopeforlife. 

Image credit: Alamy