family are now all still stuck in England and he has to sleep on his his wife's sofa. No one but his wife
and the Grupo Amigos know he has HIV. "Ah no!" he shrugs when
asked, as if the idea of telling others is quite unthinkable.
He considers that he owes his life to Carlos and Naz Latina. "Carlos
speaks to me every day. He came to visit me every day in hospital. They
are arranging B&B and compassionate leave to remain in England. At
first I wanted to run back to Chile, but now I realise I can't. There
is no treatment, no support. If you need HIV treatment, you join a lottery,
and the lucky ones get pills for a few months only, sometimes. If you
lose, nothing."
There are signs of hope in South America. Brazil is well-known as the
first country which, despite its huge poverty problems, defied drug company
pressure to provide antiretrovirals for all. Certain other countries have
followed suit. And Jose says that although HIV is stigmatised, he does
not see the levels of denial he encounters among Portuguese-Africans.
Some day, maybe Alex and Victor will be able to return from exile.
page 6 of 6
contents
of issue 77
back
issues
the
gazette
recipes
small
ads
contacting
us
weblinks
Para maiores informações ligue Naz Brasil
para:
Para mas información llame Naz Latina al:
For more information call:
020 8741 1879.
