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Blog series: First-hand 

Our first-hand blog series brings you opinions, experiences, and perspectives from those on the frontline of the HIV response. 

Hear from a PrEP activist fighting for real choice when it comes to protection from HIV, a social media influencer using her story to bust HIV stigma, a community health worker working with mothers to ensure their babies are born HIV free, and many more.

The mentor mother keeping babies HIV negative

Margaret Odera is a community health worker based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her greatest joy is seeing mothers with HIV deliver healthy babies and ensuring they stay HIV negative.

Read Margaret's first-hand blog.

Making a difference, one person at a time 

Khutso Semosa, is a young gay man and youth advocate in Freedom Park, South Africa. He shares what he’s learnt from his work providing home-based care to people in his community.

Read Khutso's first-hand blog.

Promoting treatment adherence for young people

Raeesah Yusuf, is a dedicated community care worker, facilitator, HIV testing counselor and Choma champion. She shares her experiences working with young people and children living with HIV.

Read Raeesah's first-hand blog.

Campaigning for community health worker rights 

Margaret Odera is a community health worker from Kenya. She is also a passionate campaigner and set up a network to advocate for the rights of all community health workers.

Read Margaret's first-hand blog.

Living with HIV – from acceptance to advocacy 

Doreen Moraa Moracha, from Kenya, shares her personal journey of how she became an online activist and advocate on the issue of HIV and gender equality.

Read Doreen's first-hand blog.

How to make an impact as an HIV social media advocate 

Doreen Moraa Moracha is a young woman living with HIV in Kenya. She was recently recognised as one of Africa's 100 most impactful changemakers and shares her advice for those who want to make an impact in online advocacy.

Read Doreen's first-hand blog. 

PrEP Options

Phumlani Kango
Phumlani Kango

Our new first-hand blog series brings you opinions, experiences and perspectives of those on the frontline of the HIV response. 

In this first blog, South African PrEP activist Phumlani Kango shares his personal experiences with using PrEP and explores the growing number of options available for young people looking to protect themselves from HIV.

Read Phumlani's first-hand blog.

Young people, HIV and how to do better 

Joyce Ouma, advocacy and campaigns officer at the Y+ Global
Joyce Ouma

In this first-hand blog, Joyce Ouma, advocacy and campaigns officer at the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global) in Kenya, shares her personal experiences on the challenges of living with HIV and highlights the negative effects of stigma.

Read Joyce's first-hand blog.

Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in Zimbabwe 

Tonderai Mwareka
Tonderai Mwareka

Tonderai Mwareka from Zimbabwe National Network of People living with HIV (ZNNP+) talks about HIV stigma and the barriers this creates to vital HIV services.

Read Tonderai's first-hand blog.

From HIV diagnosis to HIV advocacy 

Kelebogile Moesi
Kelebogile Moesi

Kelebogile Moesi, a 27-year-old HIV activist living positively with HIV, and youth lead advocate from Botswana talks about working on the frontline of the HIV response.

Read Kelebogile's first-hand blog.

The privileged position of health providers in young people’s lives 

Woman smiling and standing in front of a bush
Luann Hatane

Luann Hatane, director at PATA (Paediatric Adolescent Treatment Africa), on what is still stopping young people in Africa from using sexual and reproductive health services, and how health providers can change young people’s lives for the better.

Read Luann's first-hand blog.

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  • Last updated: 12 July 2024
  • Last full review: 11 July 2024
  • Next full review: 11 July 2027
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