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Monks provide hope to people living with HIV
10 June 2013
Despite Myanmar’s progress in the AIDS response, HIV treatment is still largely available only in big cities. In the country’s capital of Yangon, some monks have opened up their monastery to people living with HIV who come to the city to access HIV treatment.
Shwedagon pagoda is one of the holiest structures in Myanmar, where religion has a big influence on everyday life. Religious groups can play an important role in stemming the spread of HIV. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
There are 225 000 people living with HIV in Myanmar. The Thaketa Specialist Hospital in Yangon is one of the main centres offering HIV treatment and care. Some patients travel from far away to receive such services. Credit: UNAIDS/SengMai
Like many other monasteries, Asokarama Shwehinthar Yelay Monastery on the outskirts of Yangon nurtures young Buddhist monks. However the facility also provides care in the form of food and accommodation to people living with HIV. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Since monks refrain from eating after 12.00, the kitchen is free for their guests living with HIV to prepare their food in the afternoon. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Ven Kundala, head monk of the monastery, says they provide food and lodging to people living with HIV because Buddha teaches his disciples to care for others in need. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Ven Kundala says in the beginning he had a problem with the neighbours who stopped coming to the monastery after he invited people living with HIV to stay. However he says the monks’ hospitality is changing attitudes and now the neighbours accept their guests. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Ven Kundala speaks with Nilar who lives in a village 12 hours away. Nilar says before she knew about the monastery’s programme she had to go for a year without treatment as she couldn’t pay for accommodation in the city. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Nilar needs to take her antiretroviral drugs twice a day and she says thanks to the monks her health has improved. Before she was on HIV treatment she thought she was going to die. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn
Nilar says she also likes to stay at the monastery because she can share her experience freely with other people living with HIV. She has come here with her young daughter, who enjoys playing with the other children. Credit: UNAIDS/Kyaw Kyaw Winn