A story from a village Chief on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands, highlighting the important role MISHIM is having to dispel the myths of HIV and AIDS and to eradicate discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS.

“As an ignorant person on HIV transmission and prevention, I believed that HIV and AIDS is a disease given by God to people who are ungodly and practicing immoral activities.

As a respected church and community leader, I have convinced my community to en-act a by-law that gives power to the people to remove/chase any person found infected with HIV.

I was so discriminatory not only to those thought to have HIV but also to people in the community who are known to have STIs and with multi sex partners or 2, 3, 4.

During the month of November 2011, I attended a session on AIDS organized by SIPPA/MISHIM project. During the sessions we talked about the truth and lies about HIV and AIDS, ways that will not transmit HIV, stigma/discrimination.

The information and truths I gained from the workshop has enabled me to change my belief and attitude towards people in my community and further have improved my relationship with others.

With the status and respect I have in my area, I know it’s my responsibility to help disseminate/spread the life saving information to people to prevent the spread of HIV (STIs) in communities.

I am also convinced that condom is a life saver and information on it should be disseminated in communities. It should be distributed to people who are at risk to HIV infection.

We should work together to make our communities and workplaces a safe and better places to work and live in. I am convinced that people living with HIV and AIDS should be treated with love, care and respect.

If there be people in our communities with HIV , it is responsibility to support, respect and value them with dignity. Again, thanks to MISHIM/SIPPA staff for the life saving information."