HIV and Aids

There is no avoiding the impact that HIV and AIDS are having in Malawi, particularly with our friends.  Matthew was quite open in discussing that he has lost two brothers and a sister in law to AIDS and sadly describes the impact that this has had on his family.  On our way into Blantyre (after Zomba) we went to visit his niece and two nephews who have been orphaned by AIDS.  What was even worse was to chat to these beautiful children knowing that the 5 year old nephew Chico himself has HIV and probably won't make it past his 21st  birthday.  Matthew explained that Chico himself does not know yet that he has HIV although he knows he is ill. Obviously his family know as do the  nursery to ensure safe procedures to deal with cuts etc are adhered too. 
Matthew has had a varied career in his priesthood including working on the national HIV/ AIDS strategy for the Catholic Church, Pastoral care and chaplain in a hospital.  He explained that 70% of the beds in hospitals are taken up with AIDS patients although he believes that the rate of infection of HIV is falling.  He spoke about the work he has done to help families cope with HIV and keeping themselves safe.
We chatted a little about the situations of men in marriages who fall ill. Because the men have been in relationships outside the marriage, when they realise they have HIV they are usually unwilling to tell their wives because then their extra marital affairs will become known. Instead they infect their wives and effectively orphan their own children.  Very sad indeed.  We were honoured to be able to speak so frankly and openly to Matthew about such a tragic epidemic with personal consequences.