DEFIANTLY DREAMING
BERHAN’S UNSTOPPABLE PATH AFTER THE HIV DIAGNOSIS.
Author: Mekdim Hailu, Project Communication Manager, PSI Ethiopia
Say hello to Berhan, our anonymous narrator with dreams as big as the Ethiopian sky. From a young age, Berhan wanted to leave her rural hometown in northern Ethiopia and move to the vibrant city of Addis Ababa. However, her journey to the city was anything but straightforward, filled with many unexpected twists and turns. It wasn’t until she discovered USAID MULU KP’s Drop-In Center (DIC) that Berhan found a sanctuary where friendly and accessible services are offered that are client-centered and free from stigma.
Berhan’s first hurdle was finding a job in the bustling city. With no experience and stiff competition, Berhan was on the verge of giving up when she was offered a job as a waitress in a hotel. Little did she know that this ordinary job would soon lead her to sex work.
Navigating the complex sex work industry, Berhan encountered numerous difficulties and dangers — from abusive clients to risky encounters, she faced it all. During these challenges, amidst the neon lights and shadows of the hotel where she worked, the DIC peer educator and counselors became her lifeline. They provided vital counseling and medical care and supported her in her time of need.
Moved by their care, Berhan decided to get tested for HIV. The result was positive, triggering emotions ranging from sadness to despair. But with the unwavering support of the DIC staff, she found the strength to carry on. In conversations that went beyond mere treatment, a dialog about life after the HIV diagnosis emerged. Over time, Berhan’s determination blossomed, connecting her to her younger self — the one full of big dreams — and reminding her of who she was before life’s challenges took their toll.
After extensive counseling sessions with the DIC staff, Berhan decided to undergo antiretroviral therapy (ART). This HIV treatment was the beginning of a hopeful new chapter. With the support of the Drop-In Center community, Berhan realized that life after an HIV diagnosis can indeed be full of possibilities. In a bold move, she said goodbye to her job at the hotel and, with the help of the DIC, enrolled in a cosmetology training center. There, she took hairdressing training and eventually got a job in a salon.
Today, Berhan is fulfilled because she has realized one of her dreams — to work at a job that gives her joy and security. Despite living with HIV, she has not let it stop her ambitions and owes her success to the invaluable support of the DIC. Berhan’s journey shows that with the proper support, sex workers can overcome stigma and achieve their dreams. The DIC is more than just a medical center; it serves as a lifeline for this vulnerable and often overlooked segment of the community, allowing them to pursue a better future.
