Eli’s Story
A young girl who is going to turn 20 next year, Eli was originally from Myanmar. After her parents died of AIDS, her relatives sent her to Manipur in 2011 for her treatment. She started her ART the same year and ever since she has been living in Happiness Home. She has grown up in the Home, studied till class 12 and then went on to do a Diploma in Laboratory Technician. She is getting ready to become a medical practitioner. And down the line, she aspires to help others like her who need support. She also aspires to go back to Myanmar and do something for her society. Her story exemplifies Myanmar’s unfortunate crippled health infrastructure, crumbled social and political fabric as well as complex relationship with drugs and dying but also the significance of a HOME that nurtures the lives of children living with HIV.