“The realization that I was not alone and there were others in my situation made me stronger and I wanted to be able to link the women so  they could help  each other”.

Rosemary is the national coordinator of the Sunflower project, a network of women living with HIV and AIDS in Colombia.

She found she was HIV positive after her husband and two children died of AIDS related illnesses.

When her second child died the paediatrician told her in a corridor of the hospital that her children had died of AIDS related illnesses, therefore she must be positive too.

"I was devastated, angry and angry that I was told the news in such an insensitive way.

I felt angry that the doctor was making me feel responsible for the situation.  

My husband had been my only sexual partner.

When I was diagnosed I began looking for women in a similar situation so I could get help, advice and support, and also so I could set up a network to help women in my situation, and women who could identify with each other as they were in the same situation. 

When I found out my status I did not tell anyone for a while, I was scared, I then told my sisters who still stigmatize me by saying that only gay men and sex workers get HIV. My husband’s family blame me, saying I must have infected him". 

Through her efforts her sisters are more aware and treat her with more respect. 

She says that discrimination comes from ignorance, not malice and that is why their work is so important.