m2m - Malawian Mentor Mother attends Africa Forum 2009

Malawian Mentor Mother attends Africa Forum 2009

Maria at the conference venue

Maria presenting at the conference

Maria with her certificate of participation

Malawian Mentor Mother, Maria Posita, represented m2m at the recent Africa Forum 2009 held in Mangochi, Malawi from 21 - 26 June. Hosted by Project Concern International (PCI), this week-long forum focused on People Living with AIDS (PLWA) and discussions were held about living positively and good nutrition as well as remedying 'donor dependency syndrome.' Maria spoke about being an HIV-positive mother and positive parenting which was both challenging and rewarding for the m2m Mentor Mother, and following her presentation Maria was invited to an HIV/AIDS Women forum to be held this November.

"This has been very, very moving for me, and very inspirational."

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush about meeting the women of mothers2mothers , MSNBC.com

"My child is HIV negative, and I think I would not be alive without the programmes."

19 year old Andiswa

"I didn't want anything to do with HIV-positive people or women, but when I saw these healthy-looking women and listened to their stories, I immediately became part of that family. We actually created a bond, which will last forever. I was empowered and prepared for disclosure..."

Site Coordinator and mother speaking about her m2m experience