Dignified life

HIV/AIDS Fisher Folk Fighter

This is the story of 38-year- old Caroline Akoth Okomo. She is a wife, mother of six and a peer educator at Wayando beach under IRDO fisher folk interventions program. Hers is a story of commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

It was always Caroline's wish to continue learning. However, her parent could only school her

through Primary due to limited funds. Caroline was heartbroken when she realized hers would be a fate similar to their first born, her sister. Despite having excelled in her National Primary examination, Caroline's sister did not proceed to high school for the same reason.

Determined to further her education, Caroline enrolled at a local training institute where she acquired tailoring skills. It was while working as a tailor that she met her husband. This was in 1996. The two got married two years later.

After their marriage, the two moved to Homabay town in search of greener pastures.

Caroline's tailoring job earned peanuts, therefore, it was her husband's masonry job that sustained them.

Being a hardworking lady, Caroline later set up a grocery business in a bid to boost her husband's income. This, however, did not last. Life in town was harsh for the newlyweds and

so in 2003, they were forced to move back to her husband's rural home in Wayando Village, Rusinga. Back home, they saved up until 2006 when they finally had enough money to buy a boat. This marked the beginning of their fishing and hotel business.

The lively fishmonger heard about IRDO in 2017. This was during an HIV/AIDS training and sensitization exercise that was launched by IRDO in their locality. It is here where she was registered under the Fisher Folk Intervention Program and her journey as IRDO peer educator started.

According to Caroline, the training equipped her with a lot of knowledge on STIs and HIV/AIDS. After the training she carried the good news home, teaching her husband and children what she had learned.

"One of the benefits of being a member of the Fisher Folk program is receiving regular HTS services for me and my family, in the comfort of our home. The HTS service has brought happiness in my house since everyone knows their HIV/ AIDS status and are able to make healthy choices," adds Caroline with a smile.

The fisher folk life sometimes gets difficult for women and girls. Caroline explains that some fishermen demand sexual favors in exchange for fish. This, she says, depends on who you are, and who you are working with.

Caroline is of the opinion that, women should have high self-worth and self-respect which sometimes leads men to respect them more. From her personal experience, she has learned that fishermen respect women or girls who engage in other income-generating activities. It is difficult for these fishermen to approach such women and girls for sexual favors. Instead, they maintain professionalism.

Caroline observes many in her fisher folk community to be promiscuous yet they do not know their HIV/AIDS status. For her, any woman, young or old should first seek to know their HIV/AIDS status and that of her partner before engaging in any sexual activities. This, she says, should become a priority, whether in a serious relationship or not. She also advises on constantly seeking new information pertaining to HIV/AIDS preventive measures such as PeP, and PrEP.

Being an IRDO peer educator in Rusinga has enabled Caroline to positively impact many lives. Many are free with her as she is also part of their community. For instance, she involves herself with intervening in cases of Gender-Based Violence. She

also assists women who need family planning services to access it.

Caroline is happy her husband is very supportive of her fish business. At times joining

in on the fishing expedition. According to Caroline, her husband has never shown mistrust or questioned her involvement with the other fishermen. The nature of his job means he travels a lot. Caroline, on the other hand, is fully involved in the fish business. This is why they agreed to be faithful and open in their marriage.

"My main choice of protection against STIs and HIV/AIDS is being faithful to my husband. We both understand the risk of the Fisher Folk lifestyle we lead," explains Caroline.

Caroline is however quick to add that they incorporate other protective measures as well as proper use of a condom.

As a fishmonger, Caroline advices fellow women to follow in her footsteps by maintaining professionalism and preventing unhealthy work environments can lead to unhealthy choices.

"I am happy with the life I lead thanks to IRDO," concludes Caroline.