Hamisa is a DREAMS girl 24 years old. She is a bit handicapped because she has problems with her ankle. She is also HIV and linked to ART services. These conditions continue to depress her but with continuous mentorship during group sessions, she says that she feels positive about life.

She adheres to ART services from mentorship and support from the Community Outreach Volunteer (COV) in her group.

Hamisa said “knowing my HIV status while I have joined the DREAMS groups helped me to accept it with ease as I have been taught about it but also the services that people living with HIV receive has helped me take it with positive mind. The other thing that I enjoy in this group is that there is no stigma as I continue to be treated the same way I was treated before I was tested positive.  My teacher (COV) encourages me to continue taking my ARV as prescribed by health care workers”

Hamisa has a booth where she sells different items for domestic use.  Hamisa uses group loans to develop her booth and also gets support from her family too. She believes that “struggle is part of every good story”.

NB: Hamisa is not her real name.