Formation of self help groups by people living with HIV has been seen as one of the ways of curbing discrimination. Lanet Self Help Group is one of the groups that was formed to curb discrimination among HIV victims. The group has over 40 members living with the virus. Patrick Mwangi, the chairperson of the group said that they decided to form the group after experiencing a lot of discrimination from friends, family members and the entire community.
"After experiencing a lot of discrimination, we decided to form a group for people living with the virus to curb discrimination," said Mwangi.
Mwangi said that the purpose of the group was to encourage each member by giving them psychological support and also teaching them how to use the ARV drugs. Mwangi said that due to poor income among members the group, they also started income generating activities to support members. They are now involved into activities such as selling of curios, farming and other small businesses.
"Due to the poverty faced among our members, we decided to start small business enterprises and this has really supported them," said Mwangi.
According to Mwangi, after realising that the group is making strides in development, other members of the society who are not living with the virus have joined the group and are now working together as brothers and sisters with no discrimination whatsoever.
Mwangi further said that the group has become an important part of the community regardless of their status.