Angola
Our Reach in Angola

Success Story

Zaida Antonio Andre Barros is a 29-year-old mother of four beautiful children; three boys and one girls. She is working for m2m Angola as a Site Coordinator and is championing women in her community to live positively. She shares her story:
During an antenatal visit following the birth of my daughter, I tested positive for HIV. I did not know much about the virus, but believed that it could kill. When I received my results, I was devastated.
It took me weeks to process that my life had changed forever. My family shunned me and my self-esteem suffered. I was afraid to leave my house and felt that people were judging me, and could see I was living with HIV.
My life changed when I met mother2mothers in December 2019 when I visited the clinic to collect my ARVs. I was keen to find out more about how Mentor Mothers were supporting other women, and successfully applied for a job.
I’m now working to break the stigma, and encouraging people to disclose and to live positively. This job has helped me achieve so much. I’m able to send my children to school, and I will begin building a home soon. I am very proud that I can support my family financially.