People’s stories from Zimbabwe

“We were severely stigmatised by our community. No one wanted us near them and people would laugh at us.”
– Simiso Blessing (above, middle) with husband Abisaih and daughter More

“My church has helped me in some ways, like helping me in the fields and in the home… If I can only be assisted to get treatment, also to be helped to find a way to support my family.”
– Florence, aged 32, a married woman living with HIV

“Although I am a pastor, I have not been helped much by my church. Spiritual support is there for me, but this is not enough on its own.”
– Christohper, aged 30, an Apostolic pastor, a father and a widower

“My main problem now is shelter. The government is turning a blind eye on people like me. I also don’t get any support from my church. I must beg for assistance because I must care for my six children.”
– Jessina, aged 59, a widow living with HIV

“As a pastor, there is an expectation from the members of my church that I should be able to do something for them when they need help. But prayer alone is not enough. These people need medical assistance.”
– Isaac, aged 59, an Apostolic pastor, with his wife Esmay, aged 35

“I do get support sometimes from my church such as food, soap, etc. When I was bedridden, the church helped me a lot.”
– Gibson, pictured with his wife Veronica, both aged 49 and living with HIV

“The problem with people from rural areas … is a lack of education. Most, including our church leaders, are illiterate. When they become ill, our people believe the problem is caused by an evil spirit.”
– Nesbert, aged 26, was a child head of household at the age of 16, when his father, who was HIV-positive, became too ill to care for his family

Read their stories in full – and more stories from Zimbabwe, Yemen and El Salvador – in Prayer alone is not enough (1.86MB PDF)

Photos © James Matarazzo/Progressio