Post Test Clubs: Support for all
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August 25, 2006
Would you voluntarily join an HIV/AIDS support group—even if you tested negative?
Thousands in Uganda have.
Post Test Clubs, or PTC’s, are a great example of civil society in action. Founded by partnerships between the Ugandan government and non-governmental organizations, like Plan, they work at the community level to battle against the scourge of AIDS. The only requirement for membership is to be tested for HIV.
With only limited resources donated by organizations like Plan, PTCs have been able to do remarkable things in the battle against HIV/AIDS:
Margaret's story
Margaret is a 43-year-old mother of two and a member of the Agolot Post Test Club in Tororo, Uganda. She reflects, “I had lost hope in life. This worsened after the death of my husband who left me with two children. I did not know what to do. I would hide and keep to myself. I was about to die and actually I would be dead by now…"
While laughing shyly, Margaret says, “Before Plan started helping me I had a white blood cell count of 76, but now my count is much higher. Since I started taking the drugs and eating the food I am given I have improved steadily. My family looks after me well and they make sure I eat the required food.”
She continues, “Through Plan, we received training in music, dance and drama. We are able to perform for our community members. We have also been trained in memory book writing. I have already written one memory book. I have started writing my will and I will complete it soon. All that I have been taught will enable me to live longer and take care of my lovely boys.
How can you help?
To help more people—like Margaret—living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, you can support our efforts to provide children, families and communities with the tools they need to fight and face the illness:
Become an HIV/AIDS Solutions Sponsor today
Or
Make a one-time donation to our HIV/AIDS projects
Back to top
Thousands in Uganda have.
Post Test Clubs, or PTC’s, are a great example of civil society in action. Founded by partnerships between the Ugandan government and non-governmental organizations, like Plan, they work at the community level to battle against the scourge of AIDS. The only requirement for membership is to be tested for HIV.
With only limited resources donated by organizations like Plan, PTCs have been able to do remarkable things in the battle against HIV/AIDS:
- Through music, dance and drama, they perform in community centers, churches and schools to teach people about HIV/AIDS.
- They encourage people to be tested, and then teach people how to avoid infection, and if infected, how to avoid spreading the disease.
- They support each other—showing love and care, providing material assistance to the most needy widows and orphans among them, working together on projects, and pooling resources to pay for member’s funerals.
- Their motto is “Living Positively." Regardless of their disease status, they believe a positive attitude will help them and their loved ones through difficult times.
Margaret's storyMargaret is a 43-year-old mother of two and a member of the Agolot Post Test Club in Tororo, Uganda. She reflects, “I had lost hope in life. This worsened after the death of my husband who left me with two children. I did not know what to do. I would hide and keep to myself. I was about to die and actually I would be dead by now…"
While laughing shyly, Margaret says, “Before Plan started helping me I had a white blood cell count of 76, but now my count is much higher. Since I started taking the drugs and eating the food I am given I have improved steadily. My family looks after me well and they make sure I eat the required food.”
She continues, “Through Plan, we received training in music, dance and drama. We are able to perform for our community members. We have also been trained in memory book writing. I have already written one memory book. I have started writing my will and I will complete it soon. All that I have been taught will enable me to live longer and take care of my lovely boys.
How can you help?
To help more people—like Margaret—living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, you can support our efforts to provide children, families and communities with the tools they need to fight and face the illness:
Become an HIV/AIDS Solutions Sponsor today
Or
Make a one-time donation to our HIV/AIDS projects
Back to top
