An HIV positive grandmother from Lesotho has praised the support and care she receives from the Red Cross.

The British Red Cross supports a home-based care programme run by the Lesotho Red Cross. The mountainous country, land-locked by South Africa, has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world, with 23.2 per cent of the population estimated to be living with the virus.M'e' (Mrs) Palesa (49) was caring for five children orphaned by AIDS, including her own two grandchildren, when she became ill herself in January 2006.

Care

She turned to the Lesotho Red Cross, whose home-based care project provides information on HIV, tuberculosis (TB), nutrition, counselling, basic nursing care and palliative care. The volunteer care facilitators also advocate on behalf of HIV clients.

M'e' (Mrs) Maitumelena is a volunteer care facilitator. She supports ten households and families to care for HIV positive relatives including M'e' Palesa in Pokane, Quthing district.

"To me, M'e' Maitumelena is truth and justice by my side," the grandmother said.

Counselling

She credits the Lesotho Red Cross for encouraging her to go for counselling and get tested for HIV.

"M'e' Maitumelena talked me through the antiretroviral treatment and how to adhere to it," M'e' Palesa said.

The 49-year-old has also received support from the Lesotho Red Cross, assisted by the British Red Cross, to grow vegetables for her family.Anti-stigma

M'e' Maitumelena carries out home visits to train household members on how to care and support clients, and provides them with basic medical supplies from her home based care kit. 

She is also involved in anti-stigma activities and campaigns, which aim to encourage people to get tested for HIV, access appropriate support and provide care to others.

Lesotho Red Cross works with people living openly with HIV as ambassadors of hope to break down levels of stigma and discrimination within communities.

Read more about our HIV work worldwide