This piece originally ran on The New Times.
When the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi claimed the life of Josepha Bamusabire’s husband, she found herself in a desperate situation, struggling to make ends meet with her son. They lived in Byimana sector, Ruhango District.
By 1996, the 48-year-old was grappling with difficulties, barely able to afford food, let alone a decent living. It was during that challenging period that a friend residing in Kigali approached her, painting a picture of a better life in the city and offering to help her secure employment.
Intrigued by the prospect of a brighter future, Bamusabire, who was 21 at the time, decided to relocate to Kigali with her son with prospects of a better livelihood.
“Living with my friend,” she recounted, “I soon discovered that she was involved in sex work. While I remained at home, handling tasks like laundry and cooking for her, I couldn’t help but envy her. She seemed to be living well, enjoying plentiful meals, although she couldn’t share them with me. She would eat fish and tell me to eat beans.”
As Bamusabire became more acquainted with Kigali, she decided to move out, renting a place in Nyamirambo, where she, too, started engaging in commercial sex work. She said the decision enabled her to generate some income, ensuring that she could provide food for her child.
Almost a year had passed when, in November 1997, the HIV/AIDS Network, Outreach and Support Society (ANKORS), an organisation that provides support for HIV+ individuals and Hepatitis C, arrived in Nyamirambo. There, they approached Bamusabire and other sex workers, encouraging them to undergo HIV testing with the promise of receiving Rwf30,000.
“Most of us were confident that we were HIV negative because we thought that a person with AIDS couldn’t move,” she recalls. “However, after testing at Nyiranuma Health Centre, I, along with the majority of my colleagues, received bad news that we were HIV positive. Only four individuals tested negative.”
Overwhelmed by the diagnosis, Bamusabire spent the night in tears, contemplating her fate. She said she feared she was going to die and even returned to bid farewell to her father in Ruhango District.
Although ANKORS couldn’t offer additional support due to the lack of available medication at the time, Bamusabire remembers that many of her fellow sex workers succumbed to AIDS while others struggled to accept their diagnosis.
“Attending their funerals,” recounts Bamusabire, “I lived in constant fear that I could be the next victim.”
Despite the grim reality, Bamusabire said she did not turn away from sex work. Instead, she continued with her work and experienced two pregnancies. In 1998, she gave birth to a boy, followed by the birth of a girl in 2002.
The turning point
Bamusabire recounted that in 2002, an organisation approached her neighbourhood, targeting areas known for having a high prevalence of prostitution. Their mission was to identify pregnant mothers and support them by transporting them to health centres, ensuring proper care to guarantee the birth of HIV-negative children.
“They assisted us through conversations, offering emotional support, and providing education about HIV/AIDS. They also supplied us with medications for the disease. I delivered my daughter under their care, and they ensured she remained HIV-negative,” she shared.
Reflecting on her journey, Bamusabire revealed that taking the prescribed medication significantly boosted her hope for a healthier life. In 2007, after a week-long training organised by Population Services International (PSI), she made the life-changing decision to leave commercial sex work.
She said the training not only equipped her with new skills but also led to a casual job placement at PSI, where she could earn a minimum of Rwf 7,500 per day. She realised the employment provided a viable alternative to her previous lifestyle.
Utilising her income from the PSI job, Bamusabire invested wisely. She acquired land at Mount Kigali and later in Muhanga before venturing into other businesses such as selling maize.
“I managed to improve my family’s living conditions by purchasing better home appliances. I also managed to pay my children’s school fees, ensuring they can now take care of themselves, thanks to sponsors who gave a hand,” she said.
The mother of three encourages women engaged in commercial sex to steer clear of the practice, emphasising that it hampers personal development and carries substantial risks of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Reflecting on her own experiences, she notes that engaging in prostitution initially barred her from leadership opportunities; however, she has since become a leader of Isibo in her village.
In addition to her role as a community leader, Bamusabire serves as the president of peer educators at Kabusunzu Health Centre in Nyarugenge District. The group assists HIV-positive individuals, guiding them towards self-acceptance and appropriate behaviour within various social contexts.
She asserted, “I also play a role in encouraging others to undergo HIV testing, helping them understand their status.”
Bamusabire describes her journey to self-acceptance as challenging, given the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. However, she attests that with the advent of effective medication and increased awareness, the stigma has diminished, and there is hope for those living with HIV.
She acknowledged the support from the Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV (RRP+), concerning peer-to-peer support and family assistance in pursuing developmental initiatives.
Bamusabire urged the youth to safeguard against HIV/AIDS, emphasising its potential impact on their future. She also called upon parents to foster close relationships with their children and go for regular HIV testing to ascertain one’s status and initiate necessary medical interventions.
“Those living with HIV should consistently follow their prescribed medication schedule, embrace self-acceptance, and pursue personal growth. I’ve been living with HIV for 25 years now, and I stand resilient. I progressed from a bi-monthly medication routine to a six-month interval. That reflects the improvement in my health, with an increase in my blood cell count,” she affirmed.
Each year, on December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day, dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is a day for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
This year, in Rwanda, the day was marked under the theme “Every Voice Matters”, emphasising the essential role of communities in the HIV/AIDS response.
The theme was aimed at empowerment, inclusivity, advocacy, and awareness, as a way to harness the power of communities to drive forward the agenda to eliminate AIDS to create a world where AIDS is no longer a public health threat.
