Our volunteer and staff teams joined in the many rallies held across Nigeria for World Aids Day on 1 December.

They carried banners, handed out leaflets and marched along with other civil society agencies in their towns.

In Jos, as in the other towns, they marched to a hall where they listened to many speeches. One in particular stands out for international coordinator Tassie Ghata.

“The speaker said there are plenty of drugs in Nigeria, but people are not accessing them. I asked myself why? Perhaps there is no follow-up.

“In Grace & Light we go with people to hospital and help them enrol for drugs. Then we provide ongoing support so they are not alone as they cope with the many struggles that come with being HIV positive.

“This day is a reminder that HIV is still big in Nigeria. Nigerians are overwhelmed with problems and not paying attention to HIV as much anymore. That’s when the disease can begin spreading again.”