Join the Loving Club

When the Loving Club meets, a few brave people come together. No, it’s not a dating agency but a group of HIV positive people that meet once a week in a classroom attached to Mundari Hospital. “Dealing with AIDS is all about loving and being loved by others,” says Betty, “that’s why we call it the Loving Club.” Overcoming stigma is the most pressing issue for the members. “These days you cannot afford to get thin because people think you have AIDS,” she explains. “But there is no need to hide. We must learn about being positive and staying alive.” All Loving Club members receive anti-retroviral medication from Mundari Hospital, one of only four hospitals in South Sudan providing such treatment. In addition, they receive moral support from the Club, which is organized by Stephen Momo, an IMC HIV Counselor.

Positive and Proud

World Aids Day, December 1, 2006, was a highlight in the club’s young history. For weeks local and international NGOs had prepared a series of educational and awareness-raising events in Kajo-Keji County, attracting thousands of participants. Emmanuel Juko, Chairman of the Loving Club, made a bold request of the organizers of the County’s main event: he asked to give a testimony of his HIV-positive status. His speech marked the first time anyone in Kajo-Keji County had come out publicly in front of so many people. Immediately Emmanuel had the audience listening to him in stunned silence.

After a few minutes, Felix Leju Tito, IMC’s Hospital Administrator, broke the ice. He walked up to Emmanuel and put a few coins into his pocket, an expression of gratitude as is custom during a performance that is well-received. One by one, dozens followed Felix’s example and by the time Emmanuel had finished addressing the crowd his pockets were heavy with money. He left the stage a hero. “It was special,” remembers Betty. “His attitude set an example for all of us.”

“We Are Not Into Talkanism”

Emmanuel, a 36 year old teacher who tested HIV positive in 2005, said he had no choice. “We are positive and one day we will leave some orphans behind. We advocate for them – so that they have a future,” he says looking back to World AIDS Day. And he adds that coming out was only the beginning. “We are not into talkanism, we need to do something. We need support, both moral and material.” The members want to be recognized by the local authorities and ultimately help to prevent AIDS from spreading in Kajo-Keji County and throughout South Sudan. “It is a small but extremely dedicated group,” says Rachel Taylor, the IMC Field Coordinator in Kajo-Keji. “The Loving Club is a courageous grassroots effort, which is why we support them and believe they will make a difference.”

Ending the Silence

Talking about being positive is still a hurdle that few are prepared to overcome. “The fear of losing your job and the fear of being isolated are always there,” says Betty. And AIDS also rips families apart. “Parents will ask the husband to pay back the dowry because the wife has been infected and couples accuse each other of being unfaithful.”

“We must talk about all of this,” Emmanual jumps in. “We must be honest to ourselves and everybody else out there. Remember, it is always better to sweep the house from inside than the other way around.”