KEEPING THE CANDLELIGHT BURNING

“There is a candle in every soul, Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire, Ignites a candle and makes His home” Chris Rice from his song GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world. This year’s Memorial will be marked on 16th May 2010.

Started in 1983 and marked every third Sunday in May, this day hosts Worldwide local memorials that honor those that we have lost due to Complications of AIDS and raise social consciousness about the disease. As well as to honour the memories of those who have fought so hard for the rights and well being of people affected by HIV,

This year’s theme for the Memorial is “Many Lights for Human Rights,” which the Global Health Council hopes will circulate globally to promote greater understanding about the legal barriers marginalized communities can face in obtaining access to antiretroviral treatment and care, HIV prevention services and basic health care, including for HIV-related diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Organizations are working together to demand dignity and human rights for communities affected by HIV.


We in Kenya have made great strides in our response towards HIV&AIDS. There is marked reduction of stigma in some areas, we have sections of the HIV&AIDS Act of 2007 operational, we have lots of programs that deal with the social issues this disease brought to our country et al.
We are not there yet, this day serves to remind us; all of us that there is still so much we can do to try and achieve a world free of HIV.

This Candle light memorial I want to remember my friends through whom I have learn a lot of lessons, shared life stories with and who for some reason didn’t make it to be alive today.
2009 will forever be marked in my heart, for both good and bad reasons. Mainly though because it’s the first time I lost people close to me to this disease.

Shiro -January.

The year started glum, at a young age of 25, this girl who had so much going on for her passed away leaving her husband of three months and a two month old baby. She had just graduated as a lawyer, been accepted to the Bar and gotten married to a great guy and brought forth a beautiful baby boy. Her leaving us reminds me everyday that this disease affects all generations, and there is so much we can lose. I also learned that love has no boundaries. If we truly love and are loved then we will forever remain etched in the hearts of the people dear to us. RIP Shiro.

Anne Janet-February

I took Anne in when she came to Nairobi October of 2008 and had no place to stay because her sister wasn’t comfortable staying with her. Even then, her health was wanting, but she had so much energy. She was a nurse by profession and so good at her job. She left us too fast; it was more shocking than it was painful. She had a good man beside her so it didn’t matter that her family wasn’t so supportive. From her I learn that God sends people to your life for a reason, and sometimes friends turn out to have your back more than you can imagine. I miss talking to you about boys my friend. RIP Janet.

Stella-June

We met four times I think. You had one hell of a beautiful smile. Well, I guess it hid a lot from us; your smile that is. We for instance never knew why you decided it was too much for you to take. The turmoil of living with HIV is crazy. The gals were all shocked when they heard you left us. Then got scared when they found out exactly how you left us. Maybe we did learn something out of that though. That a problem once shared is a problem half solved because now? People share a lot. And reach out more.

Shiko- August

Now Shiko was one burst of energy! She worked in the kitchen and made us tea and lunch. I found out nearly a year or so later when doing her story for a magazine that Shiko couldn’t swallow anything that wasn’t liquid. She had gotten sick once with oral thrush and didn’t properly manage it so wasn’t able to stop the infection from getting to her oesophagus. She survived on porridge and light juice and soup. Crashed her ARV’s and dissolved them in water. She instantly became my hero. I mean here was a woman who made 'kick ass' lunch everyday knowing fully well she would have to just sit back and watch us eat. Shiko I miss your Kikuyu pilau! RIP dear.

Wangeci- September

Another young girl who had a lot going on. I met you in town a couple of months before you left us and you looked fine. Your death was a huge shock and then some. Sent all of us into a serious panic. Gave me the hugest punch of emotions since 2004. First I was sad, then I was scared, then I was angry at you for refusing to take your 'meds', then I was scared that I was angry and now? I am just sad. Every time I meet someone that looks like you I feel sad for the loss. You and I worked on a number of projects together, you may be gone my dear but the vision you had keeps on. No one I know is ignoring the doctor’s advice now. R.I.P sweets.

Caroline- November

Hardly a week passes without me thinking about you. Every time I do, tears fill my eyes. I am not sad that you are gone anymore. I believe you are in a better place; Peaceful place. I just miss my friend sooo much.
I shared a lot with you, learned bagfuls of stuff from you. Key though is how much love can exist in our hearts if we just allow it. R.I.P sweety.

All of us are affected by HIV&AIDS either directly or indirectly. We have all lost someone we know. Let that not be in vain. Let it be a light in our hearts that would make us do what is right so that we stop new infections, get treatment to those who need it, Access Voluntary Counseling and Testing to enable us make informed choices and Live life!!

So this Sunday, I will light candles for these incredible women who in their own way touched my life. I hope you light some too!