Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)

www.mcc.org/aids

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief, service and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. Founded in 1920, it seeks to demonstrate God's love by working among people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster. MCC's development work around the world is in areas such as education, health, agriculture, peace and justice issues, relief work and job creation. MCC offers help, regardless of race, religion or political orientation.

Through its Generations at Risk initiative, MCC is touching the lives of millions by caring for people living with HIV/AIDS, supporting children orphaned by the disease, teaching prevention and addressing the poverty and injustices that perpetuate the spread of the disease.

Learn more about MCC's new online campaign: AIDS. Care Now.

Read about John Andru's visit to MCC's HIV/AIDS project in Cambodia- Dhammayietra

Lidia's Story

A 30-year-old mother of four in San Salvador (capital city of El Salvador), Lidia Lemus began feeling sick eight years ago, at which time she tested positive for HIV. Her husband learned at the time he too was infected. In 1999 he died of AIDS. When her husband died, Lidia feared losing the apartment they shared because the documentation was in his name. She spent months gathering paperwork and going from office to office in an attempt to save her home.

She made weekly visits to the mayor's office in order to plead her case. In the end, the home was transferred to her children's names, which means they will have a place to live when they are older.

Despite saving her home for her children, Lidia made the difficult decision eighteen months ago to place her four children in the care of an orphanage. She realized she did not have the means or the health to offer them the life she wished for them.

"I'm missing them a lot," she says. "I'm going to keep visiting them while I'm still healthy, because a mom's love doesn't end." While she acknowledges this was the right decision to make, the sadness of being apart from her children lays heavy on her heart.

Lidia openly shares her struggles with relatives, neighbors and leaders in her community. She feels it is important to tell her personal story in order to help others understand her situation and that of other people living with HIV/AIDS.

Lidia's boldness and openness does not mean she does not face the stigma that others face. "All I wish is that my family could tell me that they love me, but they don't do that," she says. Lidia has felt shunned by her family members, especially by those living in rural areas where the disease is not well-known or understood.

The New Dawn Association, a Mennonite Central Committee Generations at Risk program partner, has proven to be a vital source of support for Lidia. She participates in the group's monthly support group meetings, where she spends time with others who are also living with HIV/AIDS. Each week Nery Misael Rivas, the association's HIV/AIDS project coordinator visits with her.

"All of us have the same disease," Lidia says. "We share our joys and our struggles. We have friendship. The other women in the group are happy for me. They make me realize I have friends. Other group members help inspire me to keep going."

Michael's Story

Michael Chavez is six years old. He and his family live on the outskirts of San Salvador, in the small Central American country of El Salvador. Michael, along with his mother and his sister, is living with HIV. In a country where the HIV infection rate is low, the stigma associated with the disease can be isolating. Join Michael and his family for an afternoon, and see some of Michael's own photographs from his neighborhood.

More information about MCC's HIV/AIDS work worldwide.