By Lorraine Anyango
Many adolescents born with HIV are beneficiaries of a safe space within Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) which has become a haven for them, they have been enrolled in the ‘Triple Zero’ program that has brought immense blessings their way.
The program has about 345 adolescents who are not only getting peer support from their kind, but they are also learning skills that make them employable.
Triple Zero means, Zero missed appointments, Zero missed medication, and Zero Viral load. The program was pioneered by International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) in 2019 at JOOTRH.
This was after the National government, launched the ‘Triple Zero’ initiative in 2018 targeting adolescents living with HIV/ AIDS. The initiative is to end stigma as well as ensure medication adherence to reduce their HIV viral load.
21-year-old Mercy Omondi is living a full life despite her HIV condition. She discovered that she was born with HIV at age 15. She was sick often and she discovered the most unfortunate.
Years later she is married and is living with her spouse as a discordant couple and they are blessed with two children.
Cynthia Akoth is graduating from university this month, her education was in starts and stops as she was often sickly, she discovered her status at age 14.
Both Ms. Akoth and Ms. Omondi are part of the ‘Triple Zero group. They have drawn strength and hope from this group and that has kept them going.
‘HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug; Heaven knows they need It.’- Princess Diana.
It is not HIV that kills quickly but the stigma that comes with it. Stigma is cancerous. It has led many people to depression and even death, cases that could be avoided if only everyone could show love and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
This great idea of ending the stigma against adolescents living with HIV/AIDS was conceived by a young girl who yearned for change. Living with HIV and the stigma that she faced, she wanted a change.
At JOOTRH the Triple Zero initiative continues to run. It is a haven for young girls and boys and their visiting days are filled with joy and laughter. They do not feel stigmatized. They belong, they are humans that deserve love and never hesitate to give the love back.
Triple Zero is currently run by JOOTRH in partnership with the International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (CIHEB Kenya).
A visit to the Triple Zero Resource center will leave you in awe. The room is adorned with beautiful art that gracefully hugs the white-painted walls, sending a beautiful message.
The center also acts as a safe space for all the adolescents that come to visit. These adolescents living with HIV/AIDS are then taught by staff and champion members to ensure total adherence to their medication.
The initiative targets adolescents aged 10-19 years. They also offer other services such as counseling which contains psycho-social support groups. The capacity of adolescents who are enrolled in the program currently stands at 345 young girls and boys, who have not only accepted to live with their conditions but are also champions.
The main issues that the initiative covers are stigma, family issues, and Gender Based Violence among others. Every Thursday, the safe space is usually full of vibrant adolescents, who are ready to learn and adhere to the Triple Zero rule.
Triple Zero is an all-around initiative, apart from offering counseling services, it provides empowerment opportunities for these adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. They also support talents and capabilities.
Inside the Resource, the center is beautifully handmade accessories such as bags, pillow covers, cushions, and many more. One outstanding activity is that some of the boys and girls are perfect photographers.
The program through CIHEB has trained them in photography skills and provided them with cameras. This is to reduce the poverty rate and encourage self-empowerment as most of these adolescents come from humble backgrounds.
Apart from that, some laptops and tablets enable adolescents to browse and study every time they visit the facility and during school holidays. Too much work without play makes Jack a dull boy hence there are Fun Days.
The lads and lasses get to enjoy and express their talents from dancing, drawing, singing, acting, and many more.
The JOOTRH team has made the tremendous achievement of 95 percent suppression of viral load since the conception of the Triple Zero initiative.
The goal is to ensure that all adolescents living with HIV stay consistent with their medication as well as achieve high self-esteem.
They also conduct online outreaches to reach out to adolescents who are afraid to come out since they fear stigmatization and also sensitize the public on the dangers of stigmatization. HIV/AIDS is not a curse, however, people are advised to take care of themselves. They can do so by using protection every time they engage in sexual intercourse and going for regular HIV tests with their partners. If you are living with HIV, adhere to your medication and adopt safe practices, exercise, and take a balanced diet to.
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