A Little Cash Goes a Long Way

I am Francynne Bosamba, a 26-year-old woman living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After falling sick regularly, my general health status declined significantly. Because of this, I decided to seek healthcare support at the Luyindu Health Center, where I tested positive for TB (tuberculosis) and initiated TB treatment. Unfortunately, the TB treatment failed.

Because of this unsuccessful TB treatment, I was offered provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling [PITC],¹ the result of which was [a] positive [diagnosis]. My boy was also diagnosed as HIV-positive. I was deeply encouraged by health care providers, and accepted to initiate HIV treatment, together with my child.

Due to my worsened health status, [I was stigmatized]. I was abandoned by my husband and chased from home by my brothers- and sisters-in-law. Being sick and homeless at the same time, I had no other alternative than going to seek refuge at an evangelical church, where I was allowed to sleep with my two boys at the end of the evening worship. Even getting food became a puzzle for me and my two boys.

Francynne Bosamba

For this reason, Mrs. Clairette—the health center case manager— referred me to the Lisanga Project’s OVC [Orphan and Vulnerable Children] program, where I participated in many activities, including early child development activities for my 5-year-old boy. Despite the difficult circumstances, I kept adhering to HIV treatment as recommended by health care providers. Little by little, I am becoming healthy along with my children.

Considering my highly vulnerable situation, the OVC program selected me to be among the recipients of the cash transfer² sub-component of the OVC program. After receiving that small grant in December 2021, I am conducting some income-generating activities, such as selling items at the market. Since receiving the grant, and especially compared to earlier, my quality of life has slowly improved. I am no longer sleeping at the church; instead, I am renting my own house. Getting food is no longer a puzzle as previously, and [I am] taking care of my family members.

Since receiving the grant, and especially compared to earlier, my quality of life has slowly improved.

I am very grateful to the Luyindu Health Center for care and treatment provision, to the Lisanga project’s OVC program for the cash transfer and psychosocial support, and to the U.S. government for funding.

I urge all of you to continue this immensely valuable assistance to people living with HIV in order to have an AIDS-free generation in DRC and to save the lives of many low-income HIV patients.

_{1 Provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) is a strategy of integrating HIV testing and counseling services across various points of contact at a health center for the purpose of identifying people living with HIV and starting them on treatment.} 

_{2 A cash transfer is a mechanism that provides small grants to low-income HIV patients for them to reduce their vulnerability.}