Women of the World

Agnes

Agnes is a 50 year old HIV+ woman living in Maai Mahiu, Kenya.  She lives in a makeshift, one room house with newspaper she has caringly hung on the wall as decoration.  She has two children, the youngest of which is HIV+ as well. 

She is trained and very talented at knitting and bead work.  Since people in town know that she is HIV+, no one will buy from her, thinking that they will become infected. 

Agnes has joined the local HIV/AIDS support group, which was started by a nearby hospital and their outreach activities.  She finds great strength in talking with the other women who are faced with the same realities and struggles.  There is no longer the complete isolation, which this disease seems to bring with it.  Her smile comes more easily as she sees her potential with her beadwork and perhaps a brighter future for her family.