A day in the life of Angelina Namiba
57-year-old Angelina Namiba spent her childhood and youth in Kenya and Tanzania. In her early twenties, she came to London to study information technology and library management. After her brother died of HIV, Angelina was also diagnosed with HIV at the age of 25. This prompted her to become intensively involved with people living with HIV. She started out as a volunteer. Angelina has now been passionately involved in numerous HIV projects for 30 years.
When and where does your day start?
My day starts in Dalston, East London, the vibrant and colorful neighborhood where I've lived for 24 years. Since 2012, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation, triggered by the Olympics and the opening of Dalston Junction station. The neighborhood is now more accessible and has become a vibrant hub. Dalston used to be severely deprived, but today an attractive place that attracts artists and creatives.
What do you do when you get up? Do you have a morning ritual or a favorite breakfast?
A typical day starts with me taking my morning medication, showering, getting ready and then going downstairs to start the day with a small pot of tea. My favorite breakfast is a cup of tea, prepared in the traditional Kenyan way - with lots of chai (tea in Kiswahili), lots of spices and of course sugar. I know that this is not at all healthy for me but I just love it and life is too short to deny myself life's little pleasures.
What do you work as?
I do so much! But first and foremost I am a founding member of the 4M network of mentors and mothers living with HIV. My main roles are project management, training and facilitation, supervision and public speaking on various topics - including the health and wellbeing of women living with HIV.
What do you like about your work? What challenges do you face?
I have been working in the field of HIV for 30 years. I started shortly after my diagnosis. From volunteering to project management and training to promoting treatment literacy - all with a focus on women living with HIV. I've been part of advisory boards as a community representative, contributed to peer-reviewed articles and participated in clinical trials.
I really appreciate the versatility and collaboration of many different people around the world, including patients, healthcare professionals and community representatives. Despite many positive aspects, there are
challenges remain, such as funding gaps for grassroots organizations, societal stigma that hinders access to testing and impedes open discussion, and global inequalities in access to healthcare services. My dream is that all people can afford treatment and that all those in need receive care and support worldwide.
How do you spend your evening?
I usually spend the evening at home, unless I have a date with a friend for a glass or two of Prosecco. Otherwise, I spend the evening in front of the TV. I watch Netflix and TV series - I love murder mysteries and true crime. My favorite detective teams are the British ones, and I think I'm getting to know most of them! Agatha Christie's crime novels are also among them.
Our Stories Told By Us
is a collection of 40 moving stories to mark the 40th anniversary of HIV. It pays tribute to the many years of courageous struggle by African communities against HIV in the United Kingdom. The often overlooked contribution of Africans living with HIV in the UK is finally given a strong voice and the recognition it deserves. The resulting book weaves together personal stories, poignant poems and striking photographs to create a body of work that is far more than a simple collection: it is a living testament to the resilience and inspirational power of an often overlooked community in the context of HIV.
To buy here: ourstoriestoldbyus.com
March 2024