HIV women reveal the joys, sadness

Understanding: Visitors study photos and items related to HIV positive women and children displayed in The Sunflowers exhibition. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

The exhibition was designed by members of Sunflower groups in Ha Noi, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai and Thai Nguyen, which are all run by and for women living with HIV. The groups, supported by the Medical Committee Netherlands – Viet Nam, bring about 1,200 women, children and caregivers together to share, learn and support each other.

Visitors to the exhibit are being offered an insight into the experiences of these women and their families, the joys and sadness they share, the challenges they face and the hopes they have for the future.

The photos feature the daily lives of people living with HIV and their message for others. One photo shows Trieu Thi Quynh from Thai Nguyen Province cooking and her son drawing a picture. The caption reads: "Members of my family loved me so much but they were afraid of infection. They wore masks and gloves when taking care of me. Wherever I went, I had to wear a mask and gloves and did not dare to look at anyone. Those days were full of tears and darkness."

Ngo Thi Lien from Yen Bai Province's Tran Yen District said in tears: "Speaking in public is a very hard fight for me. Stigma is everywhere, not only in the countryside but also in the city. My neighbours still do not know that I am HIV positive. They only see that I have overcome difficulties for a better future."

Women from Thai Nguyen Province created a work of questions and answers for the exhibit. Questions such as: "Can HIV be transmitted through deep kisses?" One answer was: "HIV could be transmitted through deep kissing." Or "Can children with HIV go to school?" with the answer "Yes". They have the same rights that other children do." These questions and answers equip readers with useful knowledge and information about HIV.

Objects featured at the exhibition tell their own tearful stories, including a teddy bear owned by Tran Van Hung from Thai Nguyen Province who has been alienated from friends because of HIV and considers the toy as his closest friend. Quynh's exhibit of clothes reminds her of a time her sister bought a new wardrobe to avoid infection while sleeping pills remind Nguyen Thi May from Ha Noi about the time she bought them to commit suicide.

After taking in the exhibition, Banh Thi Nhung from Ba Dinh District said: "The exhibit is very good for everyone, both uninfected and infected people. People without the disease will learn how to prevent it while HIV positive people who still hide their disease have gained the courage to publicise the disease and participate in the group. I hope that the organisers will hold the exhibition in cities and provinces in the countryside, not only in the capital."

As part of Viet Nam's National Action Month for HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control 2011, the show contributes to the goals of Three Zero's campaign: zero new infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero stigma and discrimination.

The exhibition, organised by the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology and the Medical Committee Netherlands – Viet Nam, aims at helping people better understand HIV/AIDS and its impacts and reducing stigma and discrimination regarding the epidemic.

It will run until December 30 at Mai Am May 19 Centre, 123 Nghia Dung Street. — VNS