Last week we received 3 requests at Untenu to assist people with HIV: a gay man of 30; a transwoman of 28 and finally a lesbian of 28 years old.
Last week it was particularly busy: no fewer than three applications of lhbti’s with HIV in need. In short, we tell their stories here. We usually mention only initials to ensure their privacy:
Gay, waiter in Battambang
L.N. lives in Battambang. Apart from a few friends, who are also gay, no one knows about his sexual preference. But those friends do not know that he is HIV positive: out of fear he keeps it for himself. Until three months ago he was still working in a restaurant / night club and therefore often had to work in the night hours.
When he got a stomach ulcer he quitted his job, he simply could not work anymore. The doctors wanted to hospitalize him. This was possible with financial support from Untenu. Our local partner organization Bandanh Chaktomok also provided food aid and paid medication.
Transwoman, market vendor in Phnom Penh
V.K. lives as a woman but was born in a male body. Until recently she worked as a saleswoman in one of the many markets of Phnom Penh. With that job she earned a maximum of $ 160 per month (€ 141).
When she became increasingly ill a few months ago, she was too weak to work at all. In the clinic they found out the cause: HIV: tested too late. She had to be hospitalized for a month but did not have enough money, so the hospital let her sleep outside on a bed. Fortunately, a volunteer from Bandanh Chaktomok heard this and within 24 hours we were able to release budget to offer her better care.
Lesbian: hiv+ after being raped
The last aid request was also the most poignant. S., 28 years young, lesbian.
S. lived with her partner and together they took care for a child. Her partner died a few years ago from the effects of AIDS. S. now has the care for the child. He earns a living as a motodop (motorbike taxi). Not exactly to make a fortune, plus sometimes it is a dangerous job. That was what S. experienced personally when she was raped by a customer at night. Which was probably the cause of his HIV infection and other physical complaints.
From the capital Phnom Penh she went back to Battambang in search of his family. The family could not or would not help her and now S. is staying in a clinic with the child. HIV was not the only problem. Bandanh Chaktomok asked Untenu Foundation to pay medical and other costs. Here also we responded promptly in order for S. being taken care for in a clinic and enough food would be supplied for her and his child.
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Help throughout Cambodia
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