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Franciscan brother cares for those with HIV/AIDS in Papua

Transitional house he established has become a refuge for such people, particularly those neglected by their families
Franciscan brother cares for those with HIV/AIDS in Papua

Home of Love, a transitional house managed by Franciscan Brother Agustinus Adi. Since opening in 2009 the house has taken care of 350 people living with HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Benny Mawel)

Published: May 02, 2016 07:35 AM GMT
Updated: November 25, 2016 06:24 AM GMT

When Dewi was diagnosed with HIV in 2009, her life became miserable.

"My family couldn't accept my condition," Dewi, not her real name, says in reference to the virus that affected her immune system.

Following her diagnosis, Dewi underwent medical treatment for two weeks in Jayapura diocese-run Dian Harapan Hospital in Jayapura, Papua province.

It was there that she met Franciscan Brother Agustinus Adi who works there as a nurse. He also manages a transitional house called  for those living with HIV/AIDS, which Dewi ended up going to.

"After the hospital I went to the transitional house for further medical help and spent a whole month there," she says.

Besides medication, Dewi also had regular psychological counseling at the transitional house.

"It helped me slowly re-embrace my family who struggled with my having HIV," she says.

In early 2010, Dewi went back to her parents' home but she will never forget what Brother Adi did for her.

"Brother Adi even gave me 1 million rupiah (US$ 110)," Dewi says.

"I used the money to start a small kiosk that I built in front of my parents' house. There I began to sell basic necessities such as sugar, cooking oil, tea, coffee and soap," she says.

One thing that Dewi, now 30, can still remember is the love shown to her at the transitional house.

"If I forget to collect medicines from the transitional house, Brother Adi calls me or texts me. The service  is very good, full of love," she says.

 

A whisper

Since it was established in August 2009, the transitional house has become a refuge for people living HIV/AIDS, particularly those neglected by their families.

Built on land provided by the diocese, the house has taken care of 350 such people. Of this number, 90 have past away, and the rest continue to take their medication.

"Mostly, they are terminally-ill patients. We want them to die peacefully," Brother Adi, 52, says. "That's why we never want to see them as HIV/AIDS patients. We want to focus on our service of love."

HIV if left untreated compromises the immune system and makes people vulnerable to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV and is when a person's immune system is too weak to fight off infections. If left untreated it causes death.

Although there is presently no cure for HIV/AIDS, people with the proper support and treatment can live long and healthy lives.

Assisted by three caregivers, Brother Adi offers 24-hour care to patients at the house, which is located in the complex of the hospital.

"We offer medical care, consultation on nutrition and psychological counseling," he says.

The house also provides financial aid, particularly for patients wanting to go back to their families.

"We give each patient a sum of money so that they can start a small business of their own," says Brother Adi who comes from East Nusa Tenggara province.

Brother Adi started helping people with HIV/AIDS after meeting a woman with HIV.

"I met her in 2004. She was too thin. Her husband and children left her alone. Even her family thought she would die soon," he says.

The Franciscan brother wanted to help her at that time but had nothing to give.

"Then I heard a whisper to help. I believed that God led me to this," he says.

Brother Adi then talked with his superior about his dream of serving people with HIV/AIDS. "The response was good," he says.

With help from his order, the diocese and donors, Brother Adi began to serve people with HIV/AIDS in 2007. Two years later the Home of Love was established.

"My order covers all expenses for the patients at the transitional house and pays the caregivers. Donors are ready to cover the funeral costs if a patient dies," he says.

 

Church's efforts

The local diocese has made efforts to deal with the disease.

"The Diocese of Jayapura can't stay silent," says Father Yulianus Bidau Mote, chairman of the diocese's Commission for Laity.

Almost all four deaneries of the diocese have a transitional house, a shelter or a clinic.

"Our house is under Jayapura deanery. Jayawijaya deanery has a shelter where people with HIV/AIDS can be accommodated, and Keerom deanery has a clinic where people can get detailed information on the disease. Pegunungan Bintang deanery has nothing yet though," Father Mote says.

"The church still prioritizes the safety of human beings and cares for people's sufferings," he says.

According to Head of Provincial Health Office Aloysius Giyai, until December last year there were 22,123 people with HIV/AIDS living mostly in Jayapura town as well as Mimika and Merauke districts.

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