Rano’s story about living with HIV in the Kyrgyz Republic

ANCIENT CITY 

Osh is a city in the southern Kyrgyz Republic that enjoys the informal status of the southern capital. The written history of the city dates back over a thousand years, and archaeological excavations have determined the foundation of the city was created  three thousand years ago. Numerous legends connect the foundation of Osh with the names of Alexander the Great and the prophet Suleiman (Solomon). None of these legends fully explains  the emergence of the city, but nevertheless testifies to the antiquity of this settlement.

The emergence of Osh is associated with a settlement of ancient farmers of the Bronze Age, found on the southern slope of Suleiman Mountain, which is considered sacred and stores evidence of ancient cults of the early Islamic period.

RANO 

Rano was born in Uzbekistan. After graduating from university, she married and moved with her husband to the city of Osh in Kyrgyz Republic. Rano was glad about the changes in her life: she always wanted to have her own big family. Rano gave birth to two sons; she was happy and it seemed that life was developing as she imagined it.

But everything changed the day Rano tested positive for HIV.

“I remember that rainy day when I found out that I have HIV. It seemed to me that the rain was crying with me. My husband admitted to me that he used drugs and he also has HIV, but he refused treatment. Despite that, I found the strength within me and decided to fight for my life and for the future of my children,” says Rano.

Rano decided to initiate antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV. Starting treatment, Rano needed support and information on how to live with HIV. So she was introduced to social workers who work with people living with HIV in Osh city. After a while, Rano began to work as a consultant and help other people living with HIV to accept their status, initiate and adhere to antiretroviral therapy. 

“My husband died of AIDS, he refused treatment for a long time, and when he decided, it was already too late. His death greatly influenced my resolution: I told myself - no one should die from AIDS when there is therapy and it's free of charge and available for all people with HIV in Kyrgyz Republic.” 

HELPING OTHERS

Today, Rano works as a peer navigator in the public association Krik Zhuravlya, which receives support from the USAID Central Asia HIV Flagship activity and helps other people living with HIV. Rano does not hide her positive HIV status and through her own example, demonstrates that a person living with HIV can have a full life.

“Mostly, I work with HIV positive women. We live in Osh and our culture is traditional, where women often cannot make decisions even regarding their own health. I try to teach and empower women from my community to be strong, make decisions, take responsibility for themselves, and for their children. And the biggest reward for me is to see healthy and happy families, children’s smiles.”

Rano has been on antiretroviral treatment for 5 years and her viral load has decreased to an undetectable level; the level at which a person cannot transmit HIV to their partner. Rano raises two healthy sons and plans to get married soon. She believes that she has a long and happy life ahead of her.

Footnotes:

The USAID Central Asia HIV Flagship activity is a regional five-year activity that works with and through community led non-governmental organizations to contribute to the implementation of countries national HIV programs in Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan. The goal of the activity is to reduce new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths in the three Central Asian countries.