Bose Oladayo Speaks Out On Aid

Every day I come across beneficiaries of aid who remind me of the importance of the work my organization does to ensure life saving programs are maintained in Africa. So as we debate the efficacy of aid, and remain resolved to ensuring its delivery is long term and sustainable, please check out the powerful story of Bose Oladayo from Lagos, Nigeria. Bose was ready to take her own life after learning she had AIDS, but after getting on treatment she is healthy again, supporting her family and working to help other HIV positive people in her community.

-Edith Jibunoh

Bose Oladayo, HOPE Worldwide, Lagos, Nigeria:

I got to know my HIV status in year 2000 out of inquisitiveness. I was afraid and thought I was as good as a ‘walking corpse’ because all information given around me were tales of woes to whoever is infected. Along with this great trouble is the fact that I am a single mother and the future of my child all lies with my support.

Troubled and with no one to talk to, I decided to take my “life” by being my own doctor. I prepared a concoction of so many substance among which are bleach, and took it. But for my late mum and intervention of the antiretroviral drugs, I would have been late and only God knows what will have become of my child.

I was able to access free drugs and also got psychosocial support from an NGO receiving funds from the American People – HOPE worldwide Nigeria.

Imagine same in the life of millions living with the virus and the replicating effect in families, particularly as it affects children ‘Our Future’.

There are lots of HIV infected people both in private & public sectors who are doing well and are contributing to the economic and social growth of their country. But for Antiretroviral drugs they would have been dead and their contributions lost.

Today I am a senior Program officer in HOPE worldwide Nigeria. I received trainings and my skills developed to counsel & test people, provide information about the deadly disease HIV&AIDS. I am involved and very active in breaking the silence – encouraging others like me to ‘live’ and live life to the fullest. I am also working with positive mothers to know that they can have healthy and HIV free children.

Being the Coordinator, South West, Treatment Action Movement of Nigeria (TAM), I am in the forefront of advocacy for drugs availability/accessibility, and also adherence campaign.

I am a major source of support economically to my family particularly my younger brother in the tertiary institution and my old ‘retired and tired’ father.

“I am a woman, a mother, a wife and a sister. I run a home; I work, feed my family, and bring up my children. I keep every one around me smiling. I am a person living with HIV, thanks to antiretroviral drugs, care and support. I speak not for myself but for many other people that I know.

HOPE Aid has touched lives of vulnerable & orphaned children by bringing hope for a better and brighter future. Education, Psychological Medical and Nutrition support to these children is contributing to the reduction of number of street children, child prostitution, school drop outs and delinquencies in our communities. Many now contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.

Private sector in Nigeria, has contributed immensely to the support for HIV/AIDS. This was made possible by the relentless efforts by international donors including USAID and many other international private organizations. Today, MTN Foundation in Nigeria spends an average of $2 million annually in the provision of HIV & AIDS treatment & care, support to OVC and prevention of mother to child transmission. Other private organizations like Petrobras, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation etc have also contributed.