Imagine being told your world is crumbling, only to discover it’s the beginning of a powerful journey to help others. This is the story of Lilian Bonareri, a Community Health Promoter (CHP) in Kenya who turned her personal struggle with HIV into a mission to fight stigma and save lives. But here’s where it gets controversial: in a society where HIV is often shrouded in shame, Lilian’s openness about her status challenges deeply rooted beliefs. How do we balance cultural norms with the urgent need for health education? Let’s dive in.
Lilian’s days are anything but ordinary. As a CHP in Nyamira County, her schedule is a whirlwind of activity. One moment she’s visiting households, using Kenya’s community health mobile app to conduct assessments; the next, she’s delivering health talks, offering first aid, or referring community members to health facilities for further care. Her role is simple yet profound: to ensure everyone in her community has access to primary healthcare. This work isn’t just a job—it’s her purpose.
But it wasn’t always this way. In 2005, Lilian’s life took a devastating turn when she tested positive for HIV. ‘I felt like my dreams for myself and my children were shattered,’ she recalls. Her journey with HIV began years earlier, when her husband passed away from what was believed to be tuberculosis (TB). Unbeknownst to Lilian, he had been living with HIV, a secret he took to his grave. After his death, her family urged her to get tested, but the path to diagnosis was riddled with stigma. At one health facility, she was treated with such coldness that she walked away. It wasn’t until she reached Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi, with her family’s unwavering support, that she received her diagnosis.
The emotional fallout was immense. Even close relatives distanced themselves. Lilian remembers her sister-in-law’s children warning her not to visit, fearing she would ‘infect’ them. Yet, she refused to let stigma define her. With her family’s support, she began lifesaving treatment in 2005 and slowly rebuilt her life. Her children, then just 14 and 8, were initially shocked but became her greatest allies. ‘Every morning, they’d remind me, ‘Mum, hujakunywa dawa’—‘Mum, you haven’t taken your medicine,’ she shares with a smile.
This experience ignited her purpose. In 2018, Lilian became a CHP, now serving the Ogango village in Nyamira County at the age of 52. Through household visits, health talks, and support groups, she’s transformed her personal story into a beacon of hope for others living with HIV. But this is the part most people miss: her work isn’t just about sharing her journey—it’s about dismantling the stigma that prevents people from accessing testing and care.
Thanks to training and support from PATH, funded by the Astellas Global Health Foundation (AGHF), Lilian and 724 other CHPs in Nyamira County completed programs in 2025 that equipped them with skills to educate their communities about HIV, TB, and the importance of testing and treatment. ‘The training gave us the confidence and knowledge to serve our people better,’ Lilian says proudly.
The AGHF-funded project goes beyond training. It strengthens community digital health platforms, improves supply chains, and advocates for policy changes to ensure CHPs have a strong foundation to provide high-quality services. Lilian’s story is a testament to how lives can be transformed as Kenya expands its community health systems and integrates HIV services into primary care.
Beyond her formal role, Lilian participates in church-based groups for widows and widowers, raising awareness about HIV stigma, disclosure, and support. Today, her story isn’t one of loss—it’s one of purpose. With AGHF’s support, Lilian and hundreds of CHPs like her have gained the tools to ensure people living with HIV can access the care they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
But here’s the question: In a world where stigma still silences so many, how can we amplify voices like Lilian’s? And what role should communities, governments, and global organizations play in breaking down these barriers? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s start a conversation that could change lives.
