Oprah’s Angel Network

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HIV positive herself, Asunta is dedicated to giving women and children impacted by HIV and AIDS the care and respect they deserve.

Copyright Margaret Mbugua

When Asunta Wagura tested HIV positive just over 20 years ago, she says she was only given 6 months to live. Even so, she wasn’t afraid of dying. What Asunta feared was the prospect of living a life of shame and isolation. This fear was paralyzing at first, but eventually she came to terms with her diagnosis and was determined to move on with living her life. But while she was ready to move forward, her community was still not supportive, and she was forced to deal with feelings of rejection and humiliation.

Determined to make a difference in her own life and the lives of other people impacted by HIV and AIDS, Asunta and 4 other HIV positive women formed a meeting group in the early 1990s. All connected by the same painful experiences, the women provided each other with support and at the same time, strived to educate the community about their disease. The women argued against the belief that HIV is a punishment for one’s sins and worked to inform community members about the different ways that the disease can be transmitted. They also visited with other HIV-infected persons, and gave them hope that a healthy, fulfilling life is possible in spite of their disease.

Asunta is dedicated to making sure that no one has to experience the same feelings of isolation, fear and rejection that she did, and to giving women and children impacted by HIV and AIDS the care and respect they deserve.”

Speaking up about HIV and AIDS wasn’t a popular prospect. When trying to find space in which to hold their meetings, Asunta says most landlords and property owners would not let the group rent upon learning of their HIV positive status. Despite facing challenges along the way, these women were committed to their cause. Asunta notes, “The greatest resource was our passion and selfless dedication to help others like us.” Through this passion and dedication, over time the work of this small group gained recognition and respect. Eventually, the small meeting group evolved into the non-profit organization known today as KENWA, the Kenya Network of Women with AIDS. As KENWA’s executive director, Asunta is dedicated to making sure that no one has to experience the same feelings of isolation, fear and rejection that she did, and to giving women and children impacted by HIV and AIDS the care and respect they deserve.

To date, Oprah’s Angel Network has awarded KENWA with grants totaling $450,000. KENWA has used these grants to provide psychosocial, nutritional and other types of support for women and children impacted by HIV and AIDS. Today, KENWA serves more than 5,000 women living with HIV and AIDS, and 1,500 orphans and vulnerable children. Thanks to Asunta and the other brave and determined women who stood up for their rights to health, dignity and happiness, women and children throughout Kenya living with HIV and AIDS now have a chance for a bright and promising future.

Agnes, an HIV positive woman receiving services at KENWA recently shared “I am so grateful for this place. I didn’t know how I was going to survive without friends. I know I have friends in KENWA.”