Ange Nijimbere, INERELA+ Burundi Member
As part of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program implementation in Cibitoke Province, Mentor Mothers and Peer Educators play a critical role in supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV, promoting adherence to treatment, and strengthening community awareness. Through regular follow
-up visits, awareness. Through regular follow-up visits, psychosocial support, and continuous community engagement, these frontline actors are contributing significantly to improving maternal and child health outcomes. Ange Nijimbere has been living with HIV since 2022. She is a mother of six
Children. She recalled that before knowing about her HIV status, she already had three children, but with very little knowledge about HIV services. She admitted that she did not understand the importance of seeking medical care early and often suffered from recurrent reproductive health infections and persistent swelling. As her health worsened, she decided to visit a healthcare facility for consultation and testing.
She recounted that the day she received her HIV test results was one of the most difficult moments of her life. The doctor informed her that she was HIV-positive and immediately enrolled her on treatment. She felt devastated, hopeless, and believed her life was over. She thought she would soon die and feared she would never have healthy children again. She was convinced any future pregnancies would result in her children being infected by HIV.
When she returned home, she shared the news with her husband and asked if he knew his HIV status. To her surprise, he revealed that he had already known for some time that he was living with HIV. Although this was difficult to accept, she said it helped them to begin facing the reality of their situation together.
Later, when she became pregnant again, she admitted that the fear returned and she was deeply worried about her unborn child. She went back to the health facility for advice, where the healthcare provider reassured her, telling her not to lose hope and that if she followed medical advice and adhered to treatment, she would give birth to an HIV-free baby. Although access to some services was limited, the doctor referred her to the Hope Centre in Bujumbura, where she received specialised care and counselling. The support given to her transformed her life, gradually replacing fear and despair with hope and confidence.
Ange explained that because of stigma and fear of judgment, she initially kept her HIV status a secret from her parents and older siblings, seeking medical support secretly. As she continued receiving care and counselling, her confidence improved. When she eventually gave birth to a healthy baby and followed all the recommendations from healthcare providers, she said her fear completely disappeared. She became a strong believer in the PMTCT program, having witnessed its impact firsthand, and proudly stated that all the children she gave birth to while enrolled in PMTCT were healthy and HIV-free.
This experience had changed her life and taught her that an HIV diagnosis was not the end of life. She emphasised that with treatment, adherence, and support, people living with HIV can live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. Today, she said she is proud to serve as a community role model and mentor mother. She explained that people trusted her and sought her guidance, and she supports many parents and pregnant women who faced the same fears she once experienced. She encourages them to seek testing, adhere to treatment, and follow PMTCT services throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
As a mentor mother, Ange now advocates for the rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and works actively to combat stigma and discrimination. She said she shared her story to inspire others and to show that HIV does not define a person’s future.
Quote: Ange Nijimbere: “Know your HIV status, seek care early, follow medical advice, and never lose hope. PMTCT saves lives. Thanks to PMTCT, I am the proud mother of healthy children, and today I am helping others build healthier and brighter futures. From fear and uncertainty to hope and leadership, my journey proves that with treatment, support, and determination, every mother can protect her child and live a life full of purpose.”