Meet The Zimbabwean Woman Who Dared HIV

According to Madzimai Evelyn Vurombo, 44, from Sutton Mine in Zvimba: -
- “I’m HIV positive and pregnant but I know I will give birth to an HIV free baby. Why should I infect my child with HIV when there is medication to protect the baby?” Having known of her HIV status in 2004, Madzimai Evelyn says she has been determined since then to live a normal life with the virus.

Chronicling her journey since she got to know her status, losing her first husband to full blown AIDS, the stigma associated with HIV back then, Madzimai still vividly remembers how other congregants at her then Johane Marange church would not allow her to touch their kids.

She tells of how she had lost her baby soon after birth before her husband fell sick: “I lost my baby because of lack of knowledge; I was pregnant and never got tested let alone go to the clinic for antenatal care.

From the moment she got to know about her status, Madzimai Evelyn said she was also determined to let the church know about her status, regardless of what they would say about her seeking medical attention.

She says since her initiation on treatment, her
medication became her first muteuro with holy water and pebbles being second and third on her priorities.

Madzimai then met her second husband, a primary school teacher at Sutton Mine. She said every time she met a potential partner, she would hastily open up about her HIV status.

Madzimai Evelyn who has dared HIV against all odds is now four months pregnant with their second child says ngoma ndiyo ndiyo.
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- “Why should I have an HIV positive baby when there is everything to protect that baby? That would be such a social injustice,” she argues.