Philomène and Elise - Living with HIV in DRC

This is the story of two women living with HIV in DRC: Philomène who is 47 years old, has successfully kept HIV under control for 14 years by adhering to a regime of ARV drugs. Elise on the other hand is just 12 years old. She too is fighting HIV but finding it hard to rgain her strength and be able to stick to the ARV drugs that are her only chance at survival.

At different ages and different points in their battle against HIV these two women share a common experience, one that is all too common in DRC. The virus is ever present in their struggle to rejoin and stay with their families and, above all, to stay alive.

Sadly their shared experiences end there. Despite her encouragement and support for Elise, Philomène is unable to help the young girl overcome her difficulties digesting the life saving drugs and keep on the course of ARVs.

Elise loses her battle with HIV and dies. She leaves behind a distraught mother and family. Her tragic story adding to those, already far too many, that tell the devastating tale of HIV in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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