C H I L D R E N D I S C L O S U R E – IMP O R T A N C E

Maria grew up in the village called Onandjamba in Okalongo constituency. Her manners were very scarce, especially in modern women. She had good manners. After grade 12, Maria went to further her studies at the International University of Management where she obtained her    Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Finance. She graduated and got employed by a private successful company called ESM CC. She modernized her mother’s house, with her first salary, and continued supporting her family in many ways. 

In her village, there was a well-mannered man known as Nakale. He fell in love with Maria but he was afraid to tell her.  Nakale was a Communication Officer at Telecom Namibia.  He decided to go see and meet Maria’s parents. Maria was also in love with Nakale but she hid her feelings because, in Oshiwambo culture, women do not propose or suggest love affairs.  Nakale’s and Maria parents were very understanding, they accepted him to be their son in-law. They got married. They were happily  enjoying their new marriage. They prayed to God to give them smart children. 

In 6 months’ time, Maria fell pregnant twins – Cecilia and Uugwanga. 

It was Monday morning, Maria went for a blood check up. It was a  requirement for all pregnant mothers to do it. Her results showed that Maria was HIV positive. The results came as a shock, she was crying, stressed and depressed.  The doctor asked her politely,  if her husband could come for a blood check up too.

 Nakale, her husband came and he was tested for HIV. The doctor told Nakale that they were not in a discordant relationship because they are both HIV positive. Nakale results were positive.  

They were provided with a good lengthy and productive counseling by a highly qualified social worker. They accepted their results and decided to move on with their lives. It was a bit difficult for them because there was no HIV treatment (ARVs) that time in Namibia.

In 1998, both Maria and Nakale were so happy to receive their blessings in their house. She gave birth to happy twins – Cecilia and Uugwanga. Although they were born with HIV, the twins grew up happily with other children in their village. It was not easy for these parents to disclose to their children. They had been telling their children that they were born with diabetes. 

 Around 2004, treatment for HIV management came into Namibia. Maria and Nakale had been giving ARVs to their grown twins with false instructions. Twins were told to adhere to their diabetes’ treatment but in fact, pills were ARVs.

Cecilia was in grade 8, while Uugwanga was in grade 7. Uugwanga started schooling late because he was admitted to the hospital when they were in grade one. That affected his performance and failed.

For 12 months, they  (children) have been doubting the medicines they were taking. They wanted to understand their treatment but their parents were dodging such discussion. Cecilia, by birth, was a very smart girl. 

One day Cecilia, stole her ARVs’ container from the house and went with it to school. In a Computer studies’ lesson, she went on google. She exactly entered the name of her treatment on the container on a google search box. The search results gave the answer she was looking for, she discovered the truth that the treatment was for HIV – ARVs. She fell on the ground crying and shouting. Other learners in her class were strongly shocked when they saw Cecilia crying. Her class teacher rushed to rescue Cecilia.  The teacher noticed that the same container in Cecilia's hands was the same as that on the computer’s monitor.

The teacher was very knowledgeable in offering counseling sessions. She did not say many things in the class, she called Cecilia to the office.

Cecilia was very resistant to talk to her teacher. She even told the teacher that she hates her parents to death because they had hid the truth from her and the brother.  The teachers called in a professional counselor in their counseling session. Both Uugwanga and Cecilia refused to go back home.  

The relationship between the twins and their parents was almost came to an end but the counselors handled the situation well. They have used everything they could to rebuild the relationship between the four.

Cecilia and Uugwanga accepted their health conditions and started adhering well to their treatment. Today, they are still alive and living positively with HIV. As a result of good adherence, their viral load is undetectable because they are now living with correct information about their HIV status. Now they know the truth- the pills they take is not for diabetes but for HIV management.

This story is  written to educate our people on the advantages of early disclosure to children.