My Personal Story
by Auma | March 25, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Two years ago I was dying from AIDS. My story starts here...
In my impoverished Kenyan town, news travels through word of mouth. After I heard about a new interactive community website for women that could possibly help my mission of caring for women with HIV, I decided to make the long trek to the local internet café - often dodging bullets in post-conflict Kenya- to share my story.
Joining PulseWire changed my life forever. I immediately connected with AIDS leaders around the world and, with their help, was able to plan income-generating activities
that expanded my AIDS work and training to 16 other HIV+ women and nurses in my community.
I became a close friend of well-known AIDS activist Anne-christine d’Adesky. She brought a donated laptop to Migori, and with that newly-gifted computer, I became a local correspondent, using PulseWire to report on the voices and needs of my community.
As one of the founding community members, I started a close rapport with the PulseWire team. In May 2007, I was brought on as World Pulse’s first-ever grassroots Correspondent and Africa Outreach Specialist, with a focus on training women impacted by HIV and AIDS in social networking and new media.
That moment was a launching point for me, personally and professionally. In August 2008 I attended the 2008 AIDS Conference in Mexico City, where I presented an abstract, “HIV/AIDS in Post-Conflict Kenya.” I also ran the World Pulse Media Lab in the Women’s Networking Zone with Jennifer Ruwart and her boys. We registered over 75 women and men on PulseWire. Then, in December I had a dream come true. I met World Pulse founder, Jensine Larsen, at the biannual AWID Conference in South Africa, where we taught another 120 women to use PulseWire to tell their stories in their own words and connect with women from around the world.
This year has just started and already I have completed training as an AIDS Peer Counsellor. In April I am flying to Canada to attend another conference on HIV and AIDS. Rumor has it that the World Pulse team is taking the train to meet me!
Two years ago I was dying from AIDS. Today, I am alive and thriving. PulseWire has created hope that I cannot describe. I have so many dreams, and now, I’m going to do them all!
Comments
Bravo!
I was really moved by your account. Keep doing the good work and teach others to live as well.
With lots of love.
Nusrat
Nusrat
Teaching others to live
is a big goal for me right now.I would love to encourage all people Living with AIDS or any condition that life must continue through whatever circumstances.When death comes,it will be different story,and not necessarily from the same complications,Hope is a remedy that works perfectly.When we have it,we have a purpose to live everyday.
Thank you for the encouragement Nusrat.
Love,
Leah.
Smile
"Two years ago I was dying from AIDS. Today, I am alive and thriving." I want to quote you on that.
Your story is beautiful, and it puts things into perspective that things like this can happen. It really makes me glad to see this, to know that even if you are in a hassle, that you can still see through to your dreams. So, thanks for showing the way.
Smiling...
Thank you aliĝngix, i am smiling even through this hassle,and trying to see through to my dreams.I encourage everybody never to concentrate on the negative things that happen to them,unless positively,(eg taking medication).Let us always take the way forward.
I am looking out to hear more of your voice.
All the best,
Leah.
This is a story full of hope
This is a story full of hope and a story of courage. Keep up the good work and may your star continue to shine even brighter.
Love,
Purity
Asante sana
Purity.Your encouragement gives more strength to live everyday.I would also like to hear more about your work here on PulseWire.Purity,and can we have a link to your great verse?
Love,
Leah.
We need more women like you!
Auma,
Your courage and perseverance are exemplary, and it's women such as yourself who will shake our world into better days.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal story and for being walking, talking, breathing evidence that HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence; you appear to be living your life to its fullest, most rewarding extent, and you are an inspiration!
With Love (from Canada),
Jackie
P.S. We discussed this briefly before, but I am very much looking forward to welcoming you in Toronto. Please let me know your schedule, which conferences (if any) you will be attending (it's not with the Legal AIDS Network, is it? They are holding a big event in April!), and I hope that we will have an opportunity to meet in person. That would be so exciting!
P.P.S. Make sure you change your title to "VOF Week 2: (My Personal Story)". It would be an absolute shame for your entry to fall under the radar because it is not titled according to the instructions.
You are a very strong woman.
You are a very strong woman. I encourage you to continue living positively.
Your personal story made me think of millions of women in Zimbabwe who have limited or no access to care and treatment and cannot share their stories with other women because of limited access to the Internet and computers. Most of these women have lost hope because of stigma and discrimination from their communities particularly the Church. I wish we had more Aumas in the world.
I like the fact that you are not being negative about being positive. Long live Auma!!
Gertrude Pswarayi
WOW
My goodness you are a remarkable woman!!! You are surely on transit. On transit to greatness, you have inspired me as a young woman. I am glad to have met you, though online and to have read your story. I could feel your determination, and energy. You have achieved alot, and may you continue to inspire and empower those around you. WOW!
Warm Regards,
Amazing!
You are truly inspiring. You will go so far, and as well, you have inspired me to take so much more action. Your story is moving, shows your courage and strength, and provides me with so much hope. Thank you!! : )
Totally totally amazing
You are awesome. to have surmounted AIDS and all that goes with it. hope I get to meet you someday
Shine lady....
Am so humbled when I read the turn you took in your life. You did not lock yourself up but bravely walked into this harsh world to give hope to the shy ones. May God grant you strength each day as you reach out to many other souls who are crying out for help. Keep up with the good spirit Auma.
Carole
walking miracle
Youre a walking miracle. To be dying and yet so full of life. Your story reminded me that its not the years that counts in life, its how we live each moment. You are living each moment in ways beyond your personal life. Thank you for providing us an example of strength under pressure, of hope amidst despair.
So inspiring
Even all the way in Beijing, China, I feel your energy and hope and drive to always move forward, and upward, and beyond. Thank you for that injection of inspiration!
Source of Hope
Hi sista,
I salute you my sister for the great work you are doing. Your post is such an inspiration, I wish people suffering from whatever illiness can read it. People just give up after the doctor tells them that the test has turned positive. The society also condemn them making it even more difficult for the sick person to survive. Thanks so much for telling the world that HIV/AIDS is Not the end of the world.
Keep up the good work
Regards,
Sister Consolata
Leah, our ray of light
Leah, when I think about your story, my eyes well up with such love for you and your family. I feel so blessed to have met you and to have you as a friend. Your contributions to the world will be more far-reaching than you can imagine and so many lives have been transformed for the better because of your dedication. Keep thriving and living out your dreams. We'll be cheering you on the sidelines, every step of your journey.
Leah, thank you so much for
Leah, thank you so much for sharing this story with us! It is so lovely to read how World Pulse has made a difference in your life. We are honored to have you on board and I can't wait to give you a hug in Vancouver this month!!!
Leah, thank you so much for
Leah, thank you so much for sharing this story with us! It is so lovely to read how World Pulse has made a difference in your life. We are honored to have you on board and I can't wait to give you a hug in Vancouver this month!!!
Thank You for the Big Hug,Cori!
Thank you for turning the Vancouver dream into a reality,Cori.World Pulse continues to make a difference in my life everyday!
Hugs from Kenya,
Leah.
U re a survival Leah! May God
U re a survival Leah! May God continue to give you strength.
Peace!
Fatima
'Once there is life, there is hope'...
'Once there is life, there is hope' my dear friend Leah that's just what i can say.
From doom and dispair you now blossom.That's life for you and the high spirit of faith and hope.
Keep it up and may God Almighty be your helper to continue to guide and guard you.
Live your 'DREAM' my dear sister.
Cheers
Hi Leah, Let me know what
Hi Leah,
Let me know what verse you are referring to and I will gladly give you the link.
Hugs,
P
Auma, You are a great woman,
Auma,
You are a great woman, You are a living proof that anything is possible, as long as one puts their heart into it. Keep it up.
Best wishes,
Carole
Chills down my spine
Auma,
What a power, what a woman, what an inspiration! What a pleasure to know you.
Love,
Laura
Leah, is this of interest?
http://www.worldpulsemagazine.com/node/10256
Leah, I don't know if this information is useful to you but thought I would send it along, just in case. It talks about a Nottingham University project in the U.K. has turned banana waste into an efficient fuel source. The emphasis of the project was on developing a simple technology that can be used in developing countries without the need for a large financial outlay. The fuel bricks are made by hand without needing any mechanical equipment.
Gathering wood for fuel is a time consuming job, mainly done by women who sometimes have to walk over six hours a day to get firewood. They are hoping that this banana fuel might help reduce dependence on wood as an energy source across Africa. They say that they are happy to give the idea away for free and are encouraging people who want to use the idea to get in touch.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/africa/8044092.stm
Thank you for this link,Janice!
Hi Janice!
Thank you again for the beaufiful card that you sent to my family.Asante sana!
This link is quite a useful one! It is amazing banana peels can do such wonders! First in my part of the city the peels are such a menace since they are thrown around carelessly! Second,fuel is quite expensive and sufficient firewood is not available any more.
I am trying to look out for a communication link on this website so that i can get in touch immeciately and see what mechanism and cost is involved.
Thank you for sharing this,Janice.
Love as always,
Leah.
Powerful story!
Hi Leah,
this is apowerful story. it gives life and and hope and courage.
Keep the spirit and the good work!
With Love,
Gifty
Gifty Pearl Abenaab
Co-Founder
Greight Foundation
Accra-Ghana