Doris' Story

My sister Theresa refused to give up knowing that I needed to be looked after. Thanks to her, I was left in Nairobi to be treated.

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I was born in 1969 in Budalangi, Busia District of Kenya. I am the 7th  born in a family of 13. I went to primary school from 1975 to 1981, and secondary school between 1982 and 1985.  I got married in 1986 and have two sons, Allan and Joseph.

I have known my status since January 1992. My husband had herpes zoster and we both went to be tested. When we found out we were HIV positive, we did not talk for three days. I managed to cope through the hospital counselor and the support of doctors.

We decided to have another baby in 1994 and that was when I decided to start herbal therapy. I took many types of herbs and food supplements, such as aloe, African potato and others, during my pregnancy.  Thanks to God, my two sons are HIV negative, but in 1995, my husband had a stroke and passed away. 

A sister to the rescue and the kindness of a priest

After he died, my husband’s family took everything in the house except utensils and mattresses. It was terrible. I was left stranded, but my family members supported me and rented a house for me. During this time I lost my hearing and I had to buy a hearing aid.  I had symptoms of malaria and my health failed terribly .  The doctors thought I had pneumonia and I was put on medication but I continued to get weaker and weaker. I lost my hair and developed a boil on my back.

My mum told my sisters and brothers about my status. My brothers said anyone having AIDS cannot get well. They told me I should be taken back home, to a nearby hospital where I can die so as to reduce the expenses of transporting me back home. I agreed to go but my sister Theresa refused to give up knowing that I needed to be looked after. Thanks to her, I was left in Nairobi to be treated.

My priest realized how sick I was and that I was not able to get proper food and assisted me financially with meals and fruits. Within a month I was feeling much better. I remember the days when I was sick. I was stigmatized at lot, even in church.  People did not want to sit next to me. The same priest asked me what I wanted to do with my life and I said I wanted to train as a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) counsellor. I was then sponsored to become a counsellor. Today I am able to live positively and sustain my children and myself.

I disclosed my circumstances to my children when my first-born was in class six. I told them that I am HIV-positive. They were 14 years and 8 years old. They were very supportive. At the moment I am taking herb[S], food supplements, ARVs, proper nutrition, and I get advice and learn a lot through workshops and sharing with other positive individuals.

The candle is her heart

In the middle of my chest there is a candle, which is the sign of my heart. This is the most important part of my body. The center that shows something like ribs, those are my lungs that were affected by tuberculosis. The black patch with dots around it symbolizes the boil that turned into a hole in my back. I have chosen red because it shows danger. The time I was sick I lost hope in life; I chose blue that means support. I chose yellow because it is always something that is bright and broad, and to show fire. I chose black to mean the darkness that was in my lungs when they could not find tuberculosis even after several tests.

A map named lazarus

 I named my map Lazarus because I was meant for death, but I rose like Lazarus in the Bible.