Performance Report for FY 2009/10 - UWASNET

Case Study 4.20
Performance Report for FY 2009/10
HIV/AIDS mainstreaming. Source :Kigezi Diocese Water and Sanitation
Programme
This is a story on how the programme has improved the livelihood of Bakembera John
who is living with HIV.
Bakambera John (30 years) served in the Uganda Armed forces but had to retire
rather early when, in 2009,he tested positive for HIV. John is one of the HIV infected
persons who has benefited from the Programme by having a ferro-cement tank of
4000 litre capacity constructed at his house. John, who is not yet married, lives
with his parents who have unique problems of their own. His father at 74 suffers
from elephantiasis. His mother 65 years is lame in the left arm. John has one sister,
Beatrice who also stays with the family.
The nearest water source was down a steep hill, 3km away, round trip. That in itself
presented a crisis whenever John and Beatrice were away for the simple reason that
while John’s father who could not walk without great difficulty, his mother who could
walk had unfortunate limitation of not being able to ferry water, being lame in one
hand. Johns’ father recalls that, there were times when they completely lacked water
to use at home when John and Beatrice are away. But because of his condition, John
was not much useful both whenever he returned, and he himself admits that he used
to find it difficult to fetch water.
John has been supported by the Programme by getting a referral to Joint Clinical
Research Centre, Kabale, for further counselling and medication. He is now on ARVs
and his health has greatly improved. He is no longer stigmatized. He is able to talk
about his HIV status before his family members.
In his words, John says,
“God loves us, he has given
us water. My parents can
now have enough water. I
am no longer bothered by
the task of water hauling
it up the hill as before!’ He
confesses that he is now
a regular Church attendant
which was not the case
before.
John (with parents) drawing water from tank
69 | NGOs in the Ugandan Water and Sanitation Sector