Testimony from Fr. Stephen Chigamba OFM at the St Francis Care Centre in Boksburg-Johannesburg.

Children performing in an AIDS-themed play at the
St Francis Care Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

St Francis Care Centre is a Franciscan hospice in the Southern Africa Region (Our Lady Queen of Peace Province), situated in Johannesburg City. This centre looks after approximately 82 patients, made up of 48 adults and 34 children. We would like to keep more patients but due to finances we are happy with the number of people we are looking after.

Patients at the centre come from all walks of life – South Africans and foreigners contracted the disease while working in the country. AIDS is advancing in South Africa but this fact does not discourage the staff from working at the centre. They believe a cure will be found.

This is a story about one of the patients at St Francis. Lindokuhle Peteni is a 30 year old man from the Vosoloorus-Germiston district in Johannesburg City. He is married to Lebohang and they have a two year old daughter, Shamman.

Lebohang was first diagnosed as HIV positive when she was pregnant. It was heart breaking news after the clinic officer revealed the blood test results to her. With a broken heart, Lebohang told her husband she was HIV positive and that she would like Lindokuhle to be tested.

He was diagnosed and the results showed he was HIV positive as well.

Lebohang gave birth to a healthy baby girl who is HIV negative. Lebohang was receiving medical treatment called Neverapin which prevents transmission of HIV from mother to her unborn baby.

Both parents – knowing their status – were worried that the positive tests were the end of their lives. The question that disturbed them the most was “who will stay or look after our daughter?” They agreed to be open with each other. Lindokuhle apologized to his wife for being unfaithful with her. “Where did I get HIV?” he asked. “I don't know.”

She accepted his apology and said “We must trust God always.”

Lindokuhle was very afraid to tell his parents about his status and even more worried of what Lebohang's parents would say to him. He broke the silence by telling his parents and his in-laws with his wife. Peace was broken between the two families. Lindokuhle was hurt for giving his wife HIV. Lebohang's mother was unhappy that her daughter had a child who had HIV status (or so they thought). Thank God, reconciliation took place between the two families since their parents saw that their children understood they situation they were in and were trying to overcome.

Lindokuhle could not believe he was HIV positive and felt like an outcast. He experienced denial, stress and depression thinking how he was going to lose his friends, family and workmates if he disclosed his status. Throughout this difficult time, Lebohang encouraged him not to lose hope, but to trust in God, accept the situation and move forward.

Shortly after, Lindokuhle suffered from tuberculosis (TB). He was brought to the St Francis Care Centre. This is a place of peace and love where patients find joy ad regain their peace of mind. The love and care of the staff uplifts the broken spirits of those who are admitted at the centre.

Lindokuhle was treated for TB at the centre. His time at St Francis was wonderful and he has been discharged. He is a regular patient at the centre and is seen by our doctor every two weeks. Lindokuhle is on ART treatment and is doing well. He thanks the centre for looking after him.

Lindokuhle spent his time talking to others about his experience as a patient with HIV. He encouraged other patients to love God and prayer. He even challenged people who did not believe in God to see the love and care he was receiving at the centre from volunteers from as far away as the United Kingdom and Japan.