Spreading the word on HIV: Candelaria's story

Candelaria watches her grandchildren sing at a Plan-supported workshop

Candelaria, a 53-year-old HIV positive grandmother from Chalatenango, El Salavador, tells her story and explains how her local Plan support group inspired her to spread the word on HIV prevention.

"I learned that I was HIV positive in September 2003... A nurse told me bluntly: "Ma'am, you have AIDS, and people with AIDS do not live longer than 6 months so you’d better get prepared."

"I couldn’t believe it! I was in shock and I rapidly slipped into a severe depression...

Help and support

"One day I finally decided to attend a meeting. My knees were shaking... When I entered the room I recognised a young man who sells candies in buses and another guy was saying that he had a good life because he was taking medication... I learned that I could get help, and ask for support.

"Until that day, I had not told my husband that I had HIV… Finally I gathered the courage to tell him the truth and asked him to get tested... "You're crazy" was his answer.  But when he figured that we might not sleep together again, he finally got tested. His results were negative. We are sleeping together again, but not without a condom...

"I honestly don't know how I got the virus, maybe through injections. I had the habit of medicating myself, and bought injections of vitamin B over the counter, to soothe my nerves...

Spreading the word

"Now that I have the information, I am spreading the word to anyone who wants to hear it. For example, I have formed a women's circle in my house. Young women and girls get together at my place and I give them cookies and talk about sexuality and stuff like that.

"I talk to them openly because I think the truth is the best way to educate others. I tell them that if I were their age, I would never have sex without a condom; never. Women have to take care of themselves. You never know where your man has been before he sleeps with you...

"I know that if I hadn't joined the support group, I would be dead. You have no idea how terrible and frightened I felt only 3 years ago. The group gave me courage. My life has changed for the better. I honestly thank God for this illness; somehow I feel that this is my purpose, to help others, especially other women, to lift the veil of ignorance from their eyes."