“I used to sell sex to pay for school, but I stopped when I got a sexually transmitted infection. When peer educators came to my home to talk with me, it meant a lot to me, and I knew that I wanted to work with them to help other people in the same way. I’m proud of my work being involved in educating high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM), organizing workshops and focus groups to sensitize them. I’m also affected by HIV. Then I also had my brother getting diagnosed with both HIV and TB in 2016. With our support, he is now feeling much better with HIV treatment. In the past, many MSM would not accept their HIV test results and would be so reluctant to start treatment. And they would get on treatment only after falling very sick. But now, because of my work, this has changed a lot. In our community, people are pretty open about HIV and support each other. My sisters and I support our brother very much and remind him to adhere to his treatment well.” Felipe Francisco Luis, 24, Mozambique, MSF peer educator Communities of people living with HIV and community health workers have played a key role in the HIV response. On World AIDS Day 2019, WHO is highlighting the difference these communities are making to end the HIV epidemic while drawing global attention to the need for their broader engagement in strengthening primary health care. Listen to their stories on making the difference and changing lives.
