A Thoibi's Story

Thoibi got married at the age of twenty with Dinachandra, a young handsome man. He was from Kakwa a small village in Manipur, a state in the eastern part of India experiencing Arms Conflict since 1949. Manipur, one of the 6 high HIV/AIDS prevalent states with a 80% estimated HIV prevalence among Intravenous Drug Users (2001).

Dinachandra was an occasional drug user during that time and Thoibi had no knowledge of his drug habit. A year after, she gave birth to a son Bablu on the 13th April 2000. Both of them were unemployed at this time so they thought of starting a business. To start, Thoibi sold her jewelries which was given to her by her parents on her marriage. Unfortunately the business was not a success and they lost all they had.

Dina got frustrated and started taking drugs again. As time past he very often fell ill and remained bed-ridden. Thoibi had started weaving and stitching it into Phaneks (the wrap-a-round, skirt like which the local women wear here) to maintain her family. Most of the income though was used in buying medicines for her husband’s treatment. Very often husband & wife would quarrel among themselves on various issues and most of it was money related. Dina's two elder brothers were also abusing drugs which disheartened the whole family and for one reason or the other they were quarreling among themselves. His elder brother died just two years after their marriage.

Thoibi again gave birth, to a daughter named Puspa on the 30th March 2004. She could now no longer stand the physiological trauma & harassment from her husband with two small little kids to look after. She finally decided to leave her husband and moved back with her old parents. She was not allowed to take her son Bablu by her husband and her in-laws.

Struggling to fight poverty, to support her daughter & herself she worked hard in weaving and tailoring. During that period she met Pratima, a member of MSG (Mutual Support Group) formed under our Organization, WASDO (Wide Angle Social Development Organization) and supported by CRY (Child Rights and You). Thoibi finally joined MSG after attending various program on HIV/AIDS. One day she decided to get herself tested and found out that she was HIV positive. She felt very angry at her fate and wanted to commit suicide. The real challenge in front of her now was how to survive with the virus and the stigma & discrimination associated with it. She did not fear death but what she feared most was what will be the fate of her children after her death.

As Thoibi was now a member of the MSG, she was consoled by most of her peers who shared their experience and hardship they had gone through and how they over came it. She started actively participating in the work of MSG like the income generating Training Programs that were most suitable economically as well as physically...soap making, cane & bamboo handicraft making, etc. as her physical condition did not permit her to exert herself too much physically. She later became the Convener of MSG.

After one and half years, Dina visited Thoibi along with their elder son Bablu. He apologized and promised that he will not abuse Drugs any more and requested her to come back home. She agreed and also motivated him to get himself tested and also informed him of its advantages. Dina too was found HIV positive. He enrolled himself in MNP+ (Manipur Network Of Positive People) and started getting drug substitution therapy with Bruphonophin.

Thoibi is now working as a Child Animator in WASDO. Dina is now seriously ill and is on ART.

With lots of opportunities developing, the Indian Government needs to take up Intervention Program based on ground realities and not on strategies formulated by the National AIDS Control Organization as thousand of Thoibis are waiting for some hope in this dark side of North Eastern State of India.

Motorcycle Rally for HIV/AIDS Awareness

As part of the World AIDS Day observation, a Motorcycle Rally was organized by NGO Partners of the Manipur State AIDS Control Society, working in the field of HIV/AIDS today. Wide Angle with it's band of staff & volunteers participated in the above Rally which was flagged off by P.Manikanta, Deputy Director, MSACS this morning.

Street corner meetings were conducted by the Participants at Naoremthong Tera Bazaar, Kwa Keithel Bazaar, Singjamei, Khongman, Wangkhei, Nongmeibund, Lamlong, Khongnang, Ani Karak, Sana Keithel in the course of the Rally before finishing it up at the MSACS Office at Lamphelpat.

The objective behind the Rally was to encourage voluntary public participation in the World AIDS Day to be held at the State level at the Thau Ground, Thangmeibund on the 1st of Dec, 2007. Secondly, to create awareness as part of the National AIDS Control & Prevention Program - the involvement of community and civil society which is highly required. Government & NGOs alone can never fight the HIV/AIDs epidemic.

An Appeal for the Burmese Children

The situation in the Junta Ruled Country, Myanmar (formerly called Burma) which in recent times have once again come under International attention due to the heavy crackdown inflicted on the civilian population has really worsen.

Moreh, a small town bordering Myanmar in Manipur has seen a sudden influx of Burmese refugees hailing from all parts of the country. They are taking shelter in the interior villages of Zoldam, Zangoulen, Changtung, T.Nampao, etc. Amongst these refugees, there are a large number of children. They are malnourished and are inflicted with common ailments like the malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, and scabies. They are also very vulnerable to the communicable diseases including HIV and AIDS.

Due to the lack of any financial support, Parents are compelled to get into the sex trade as a means of survival. Young girls are also being forced into prostitution and many have been sexually abused.

The absence of health, sanitation, nutritious food and education not to mention the basic human right to childhood is our major concern. The right for a child to be a child. Their welfare should be the priority of the Government of India, we feel.

Presently, coming to the aid of these Burmese Refugees are some local Christian Communities and organizations like "Manipur Alliance for Child Rights" (MACR). Hence, we strongly appeal that the Indian Government intervene and take action immediately.

People's Dialogue

A one day Workshop, "People's Dialogue on Peace Building in Manipur" was held in GM Hall, Imphal today. The workshop was organized by the People's Initiative for Peace, Manipur.

Montu Ahanthem , WASDO was the Moderator of the Workshop. The Workshop looked into the issues relating to the Peace Building Process in Manipur with an emphasis on the Role that the Society must play in it.

Many distinguished personalities graced the Workshop. Dr.Lenin Raghuvamshi, Joint Winner of Gwanju Human rights Award (2007), in his address emphasized strongly the need to guarantee the full democratic & human rights of citizens for any meaningful Peace Process. Other notable participants were, Dr. Bimola (Dean of Social Science, Manipur), Maulana Sayed (Jameut-Ulma), Chand Thingmei (Development Secretary, Manipur Baptist Convention), Dr. Hawlngm Haokip (President ALM), Prabhu Manamali (ISKCON), Pradeep Phanjoubam (Editor, IFP), Laingam (Secretary, All Manipur College Teachers Association), A.K. Kom, (Secretary, UCM) and Irom Sharmila (Activist).

At the end of the Workshop, a Draft Declaration was adopted.
- Real & lasting Peace can only be achieved by involving Society directly.
- The need to guarantee Democratic & Internationally agreed Human Rights to all citizens.
- To organize Programs for De-Mobilization, Dis-Armament and Rehabilitation.
- Initiation of Support Programs for orphans, widows & women affected by violence.
- Immediate and independent monitoring of Human Rights situation in Manipur.
- To support a Free Press protected from Corruption & Violence.
- To provide education to all.
- Creation of employment opportunities.
- Creation of state wide program to fight corruption.
- The need for inclusion of Women in decision making bodies.
- Development of a structure where Society can share & hold responsibilities for Peace.
- To repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), in conformity with the long felt demand of the people which is supported by the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report.
- Appeal to all Political Leaders in the State & Government to help stop violence & save the lives of civil population.
- Appeal to all Insurgent Groups to look for alternative ways to pursue their demands & interests they represent and not to resort to violence.
- Appeal to the people of the State to actively participate in the Peace Building Process and to speak out to the violence prevalent.

Children's Day

Children's Day was celebrated in "Eigee Yum" (My Home) with great festivity. S. Sarat Sharma, Joint Director, Govt of Manipur (Women and Child Division) was the Chief Guest while W. Birahari Singh, Research Assistant, (Social Welfare Dept.) was the Guest of Honour. The entire staff of Wide Angle along with Montu Ahanthem, also the President of the Orphanage was there for the celebration.

The children of the Orphanage presented poetry recitation & songs as part of the celebrations. Later gifts were presented to them by the Chief Guest, after which snacks & tea were served to all.