The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund
PRESS RELEASE
November 30 2009

Kiwi AIDS worker encourages New Zealanders to do something about the epidemic on World AIDS Day

Everybody can do something on World AIDS Day (Tuesday, December 1) to help victims of the AIDS epidemic affecting nations such as Uganda. That’s the message from Nicola Manners; a former Tauranga resident, now a caregiver at Watoto Babies’ Bulrushes home in Kampala.

TEAR Fund’s partner Watoto, looks after babies, children, and young adults who have been orphaned by AIDS or who have been abandoned because they are HIV positive.

Nicola Manners has had many children die in her arms as she has sat through the night caring for them, but she has seen many triumphs too, as babies in her care have turned from HIV positive to negative.

MS Manners said, “AIDS is a global epidemic affecting millions but it is not a problem that just belongs overseas. I believe Kiwis should share the responsibility for stemming the spread of the disease by supporting organisations that are working hard to prevent the spread of the disease and looking after the victims it leaves behind.” There was a whole generation of African children growing up parentless because of the disease, she said.

“One of the biggest things for me is challenging the mindset that
HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects those who make unwise choices and that nothing can be done.”

HIV affected thousands of innocent children but it was not necessarily a death sentence, especially in the case of babies and young children. There were treatments recommended at birth that could turn the disease around, she said.

“By giving certain medications within 72 hours of birth, it is possible that a child who initially tested HIV positive (based on the mother’s immunity) can turn negative once their own immunity kicks in. We have had many babies who were HIV positive initially turn negative through following the right protocols.”

One of the heartaches for Ms Manners is seeing children die needlessly. It was something she has never got used to, she said.

“I recently had a baby die because he was HIV positive. The family did not want him so they did not feed him for a month. By the time he came to Watoto, he was five-weeks old, weighed 1.1kg and was suffering from severe malnourishment, dehydration, sepsis, and anaemia.

“We loved him for the last couple of weeks of his life and did what we could (including donating my blood for a transfusion) but ultimately it was too late for him. Just because he was HIV positive did not mean he had to suffer like that.” Watoto was an organisation that was doing amazing work with children who previously had a ‘hopeless’ future, she said.

“I would encourage everyone to support organisations that are making a difference,” she said. “Don’t let this opportunity to pass you by because you are too busy or don’t think you can make a difference. Everyone can do something.”

To help Watoto donate through TEAR Fund www.tearfund.org.nz or call 0800 800 77.

ENDS

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