Free State TAC members and volunteers reflect

Free State TAC members and volunteers reflect

The provinces are the heartbeat of the TAC. People are the heartbeat of the TAC. This is where we get our hands dirty. This is where the real work happens. TAC would be nothing without our more than 8 000 members. We proudly share some of their reflections on the TAC and 10 years of ARVs.

02freestate

I have been taking ARVs since 2008. It feels good to see people getting access to treatment. TAC fought for people to have access and so there were changes in our community. So far it has gone okay for me on the medicines. I know we have to keep fighting so that more things change for the better.
– David Pule

I have been on treatment for 5 years now and I am living a happy and healthy life.
– Mothopi Jacob Mbena

We are living without the fear of dying soon. We can even have healthy babies now without worrying.
– Keikantseng Motaung

I am happy because even people like me can live happy and healthy lives due to ARVs.
– Sello Daniel Seseani

I believe that HIV is not a death sentence because people can get treatment.
– Semakaleng Pule

People are living longer now because ARVs are accessible and for free.
– Lerato Chawane

It means a lot because of the access to treatment. People are no longer afraid to test because treatment is there.
– Hleliwe Katu

We used to see many people being buried because of HIV and then we saw that people were not dying when they could get treatment.
– Daniel Seseane

People are not dying like before because the ARVs are really helping.
– Puseleso Mapetla

We have lost a lot of loved ones because they had no access to ARVs. Now people freely go to the clinics and get help.
– Nontuthuzelo Jacobs

They helped me a lot because I couldn’t afford to buy my own ARVs.
– Matshidiso Nyapotse

More and more people are joining the support groups and are not afraid to disclose.
– Nobengazi Witbooi