HIV/ health services to 13,000 Vulnerable Ugandans

Merida’s Journey; From Feeling “Not Enough” to Becoming More Than Enough.
At 22 years old, *Merida* has already lived through moments that could break even the strongest hearts. She grew up knowing she was living with HIV, a reality she shares with her mother. For years, the two have leaned on each other for strength, love, and survival. But despite that love, Merida often fought a silent battle inside herself.
For years, she carried a heavy emotional burden, feelings of unworthiness, fear of being judged, and the constant thought that she would never be “enough.” She often wondered why life had chosen this path for her and whether she had anything valuable to offer the world and was afraid that no one would ever truly accept her.
Merida questioned her future, her identity, and even her dreams. Some days, she would look in the mirror and see only her diagnosis, not the bright young woman she truly was.
Everything began to change when Merida joined a youth program for adolescents at Alive Medical Services. AMS uses the power and popularity of football to deliver mental health, HIV, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services to young people on football pitches or spaces.
For the first time, she found a space where she could speak openly about her anger, fear, sadness, and hope. Through these regular sessions held at Alive Medical Services, Merida learned to name her emotions, understand them, and heal from them. Slowly, Merida began to discover her worth.
*I met different young people full of life, I have gotten inspirations through these sessions, it's not HIV that I have to think about all the time, and I refuse it to define myself,” Merida softly shares. “Even some of the coaches in the program are living with HIV just like me, which continues to inspire me to live through hope, use the small skills I have, improve myself, and I know I will become someone someday.”
As time went on, Merida is now taking her medication consistently and on time, she is taking charge of her health and building on her confidence. She has grown to learn that HIV doesn’t define her; her courage does. Merida currently runs a small canteen where she helps sell snacks, most of which she makes by herself.
She openly speaks about emotional health and self-worth, encouraging young people to love themselves fiercely, even on the difficult days. Her dream is to become a professional fashion designer and make-up artist.
“I used to feel like I wasn’t enough,” she says. “But now I know I am more than enough. I am living, I am worthy, and I am becoming the woman I needed when I was younger.”
Merida’s journey is a reminder that healing starts from within and that when young women are given safe spaces, love, and support, they can rise above stigma, shame, and fear to live boldly and beautifully.
Alive Medical Services is dedicated to providing spaces and support for mental health to people living with HIV through different types of counselling. These spaces offer a non-stigmatizing, confidential, and empathetic environment that addresses unique challenges. All this happens because of the support and generosity received from platforms like GlobalGiving, where we get to share such incredible stories of impact.