A father of 1, Lughano is a farmer and a peer navigator for the MSM community living in Karonga. Having been part of the program since 2021, Lughano says that the project gave him a purpose for life.

Lughano narrates that he tested HIV positive in 2019. At first, he struggled to consistently take his medication until a peer navigator found him in 2021 and inducted him into the best practices programme from Christian Aid under implementing partner Cedep.

“Prior to becoming part of this project, I struggled to be adherent to my treatment, I would jump some days thinking that it is okay. Unfortunately, I was also drinking heavily. This was not helping my case, but I didn’t have access to counselling, so I thought my life was over”.

When Lughano became part of the programme, he received consistent counselling and easy access to HIV healthcare. This helped his viral road and overall health, including his mental health, to become better.

“Ever since I became part of this programme, the consistent counselling and easy access to healthcare had made my life better. My growth from client to peer navigator in the space of 2 years is only because I had found a purpose in leading and assisting others just like me. I have been able to gain the trust of my clients that they confide in me about anything”.

Lughano is currently a peer navigator to 22 clients who he consistently checks up on to ensure that they are taking their medication. He narrates that the first steps to identifying clients isn’t always easy as not everyone would be comfortable to open considering the sensitivity of the matter. However, he has always been able to create a safe space as he was trained by Cedep. His clients are able to tell him when they face any violent experience and he assists them by engaging the police

As a peer navigator, Lughano offers counselling to HIV/AIDS clients, he also helps them adhere to medication.