Archie Muntu Simelane, a construction worker in Mbabane, Swaziland's capital, talked to IRIN/PlusNews about how his HIV-positive status led him to becoming a health motivator at his place of work.
"People tell me it must be very frightening to climb up on the girders, but when I am on the job I don't think of the danger.
"But I got scared when I got the test results that I was HIV positive. I know all the safety precautions at work - we are trained. The danger is right there, and you are aware; with HIV, you can't see the danger.
"I couldn't believe it was me when I got my test results. I was sick and that is why I got a test, but I asked for a re-test. The results were the same; I had HIV, but I was prepared in my mind by then.
"I have friends at work - I think if I am HIV, they can be too, but they won't test, it's too scary for them. I take the medication; if I live right I can live a long time.
"But these guys who don't test aren't taking any medication; they can go just like that! People get these diseases quickly and lose weight fast, and then they are gone. We lose a lot of guys at work, young guys. I am losing friends.
"My counsellor, who gave me my test results and also spoke to my girlfriend, asked if I wanted to be a health motivator at work. I said I would do that for my co-workers. Some of them act differently toward me now that they know I am HIV, but I know they are also probably HIV. One guy is sick - I see the symptoms - but he won't test.
"My employer gave me time off to take the training; he says he is losing many workers. Talking man-to-man is the best way to communicate things. Everyone listens; they may not test, but they want to know. Some guys are getting tested, though; that is an accomplishment for me, because I directed them where to go and how to prepare mentally.
"I tell these guys that we don't remember ever hearing of someone falling off the girders, but every day these guys are 'falling off girders' to their deaths having sex, because they don't wear condoms."
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"People tell me it must be very frightening to climb up on the girders, but when I am on the job I don't think of the danger.
"But I got scared when I got the test results that I was HIV positive. I know all the safety precautions at work - we are trained. The danger is right there, and you are aware; with HIV, you can't see the danger.
"I couldn't believe it was me when I got my test results. I was sick and that is why I got a test, but I asked for a re-test. The results were the same; I had HIV, but I was prepared in my mind by then.
"I have friends at work - I think if I am HIV, they can be too, but they won't test, it's too scary for them. I take the medication; if I live right I can live a long time.
"But these guys who don't test aren't taking any medication; they can go just like that! People get these diseases quickly and lose weight fast, and then they are gone. We lose a lot of guys at work, young guys. I am losing friends.
"My counsellor, who gave me my test results and also spoke to my girlfriend, asked if I wanted to be a health motivator at work. I said I would do that for my co-workers. Some of them act differently toward me now that they know I am HIV, but I know they are also probably HIV. One guy is sick - I see the symptoms - but he won't test.
"My employer gave me time off to take the training; he says he is losing many workers. Talking man-to-man is the best way to communicate things. Everyone listens; they may not test, but they want to know. Some guys are getting tested, though; that is an accomplishment for me, because I directed them where to go and how to prepare mentally.
"I tell these guys that we don't remember ever hearing of someone falling off the girders, but every day these guys are 'falling off girders' to their deaths having sex, because they don't wear condoms."
jh/ks/he
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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