WINDHOEK – A group of women who are part of an HIV/AIDS support group in Havana informal settlement in the Moses Garöeb constituency have complained to New Era of the cold shoulder they are receiving from the constituency councillor whenever they demand food assistance from the food fund for HIV/AIDS patients.
Constituency councillor, Martin David, has confirmed the lukewarm reception his office dishes out to this specific group of people, saying they are able bodied who can fend for themselves, and thus do not qualify to receive food aid meant for HIV/AIDS patients with no means of income.
A group of dissatisfied women approached New Era with complaints about the treatment they receive from the constituency council office, and singled out an exchange of words with councillor David, who is said to have asked for individuals within the group who have own businesses or are working. “When we got to the office the councillor looked at our faces and asked who of us has a job or a business. I told him that I have a sewing business but I don’t have clients at the moment. The councillor then started saying that we are young and should go and look for work instead of relying on that food,” said one of the disappointed women.
David, confirming the incident, maintained that people who are to benefit from the programme are those who are sick and cannot care for themselves while also not having food to eat before they take their medication. “That food is not for everybody who is (HIV) positive. If you are positive it does not mean that you cannot work. The food is for people who are in their houses and cannot really help themselves,” David said. The constituency office has a decentralised programme from the Khomas Regional Council mandated to amongst others give food to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The women argue that it is not easy to find a job taking into consideration that they do not have adequate qualifications. “Some of us only have Grade 10 and just because our facial appearance is clean does not mean we don’t need food. The pills we take are strong and we cannot take them on an empty stomach. We even fear going back there for food because of those harsh words that he used on us,” another of the women continued.
David nevertheless said there are HIV positive people who are “energetic” and can take care of themselves. “If you look at some of them you can even see that their hair is properly done at a salon. If you teach people to (always) come and get food they will relax and not do anything,” stressed David.
There are 22 support groups in the Moses Garöeb constituency, said David who explained that the group leader of each support group has to recommend HIV positive people who are really suffering to get food. David also said that thepeople can get food at anytime during the month as long as they do not have food in their houses to take their medication.
By Alvine Kapitako