Barkat Anugerah is a five-year-old boy who was born with HIV/AIDS. Barkat in Indonesian language means “Blessings,” and Anugerah means “Grace”. Both his father and mother died of AIDS two years apart.
His parents were separated for several years, and one (or both) of them contracted HIV/AIDS while they were separated. After two years of separation, they decided to make peace and live together again. About a year after their reunion, Barkat was born. The parents rightly named him Blessings and Grace as he was born since the reunion after two years of painful separation of this couple. Obviously, Barkat was born with HIV/AIDS.
After the death of his parents, life for Barkat was very uncertain as the people of the
community knew that his parents had died of AIDS. Barkat was also very sick from the time he was born. Because of social stigma and lack of knowledge, his relatives were unable to take care of him as they feared that they will have HIV/AIDS if they care for Barkat in their home. The relatives were threatened to be driven away from the community if they had kept Barkat in their house. One of Barkat’s aunts was isolated in a one room house because she took care of him for few days after his parents’ death. Even his 55 year old grandmother refused to take care of him as she feared having AIDS virus and thrown out of the village.
One of the distant relatives contacted a local doctor to find out what could be done for Barkat as they were not really sure what was wrong with him as no one actually did an HIV/AIDS test. As Barkat was a member of a Lutheran church of HKBP, the doctor suggested that he should be taken to ELCA Global Mission supported HIV/AIDS committee office in Balige for
a test. However, for some unknown reason, Barkat was sent to a hospital in Medan, the largest city in north Sumatra district, instead. The doctors tested him to find HIV positive. By this time his condition had become worse. He became very sick and skinny and seemed to not have any chance of survival.
As Barkat’s situation was brought to the attention of the local media by the authorities, a local journalist visited the hospital and published an article about the story of Barkat’s journey to the hospital and asked for help from the community and social welfare institution.
A local member of HKBP church who knew about the program called the staff of HIV/AIDS committee and informed them about this situation after reading the article in the newspaper. As soon as the coordinator of the program learnt about this situation, she took immediate action and sent two staff members to Medan Hospital to be with Barkat. They stayed in the hospital and took care of Barkat for several weeks till he was out of danger and was able to move around.
In the meantime, HIV/AIDS committee decided to take full custody of Barkat. They worked with the social welfare department to make necessary arrangements for them to have the paperwork done. They also started a foundation in the name of Barkat so that people could contribute towards his medical care and future education.
Barkat is now living in Balige with HIV/AIDS staff. Four of them keep Barkat in their home for one week each and they plan to continue this process till Barkat can go to an orphanage managed by HKBP in a nearby town. Barkat has three other siblings w
ho are in the same orphanage.
When I visited the HIV/AIDS committee office in Balige, I met Barkat. He was very charming, smiling and lively young boy who always wanted love and attention. When I sat on the mat he jumped onto my lap and gave me a big smile.
There is HOPE for Barkat. As the HKBP program gets full custody, they plan to take care of him till he gets a good college education and stands on his own
feet. His host families have big dreams. Some say Barkat will be doctor specializing on HIV/AIDS.
I am grateful that Barkat found a home. I am glad that due to our partnership with HIV/AIDS Committee of HKBP, it was possible for Barkat to survive and look forward to a life with many possibilities. I pray that the dreams of those who are engaged in taking care of Barkat will come true.
His parents were separated for several years, and one (or both) of them contracted HIV/AIDS while they were separated. After two years of separation, they decided to make peace and live together again. About a year after their reunion, Barkat was born. The parents rightly named him Blessings and Grace as he was born since the reunion after two years of painful separation of this couple. Obviously, Barkat was born with HIV/AIDS.After the death of his parents, life for Barkat was very uncertain as the people of the
community knew that his parents had died of AIDS. Barkat was also very sick from the time he was born. Because of social stigma and lack of knowledge, his relatives were unable to take care of him as they feared that they will have HIV/AIDS if they care for Barkat in their home. The relatives were threatened to be driven away from the community if they had kept Barkat in their house. One of Barkat’s aunts was isolated in a one room house because she took care of him for few days after his parents’ death. Even his 55 year old grandmother refused to take care of him as she feared having AIDS virus and thrown out of the village.One of the distant relatives contacted a local doctor to find out what could be done for Barkat as they were not really sure what was wrong with him as no one actually did an HIV/AIDS test. As Barkat was a member of a Lutheran church of HKBP, the doctor suggested that he should be taken to ELCA Global Mission supported HIV/AIDS committee office in Balige for
a test. However, for some unknown reason, Barkat was sent to a hospital in Medan, the largest city in north Sumatra district, instead. The doctors tested him to find HIV positive. By this time his condition had become worse. He became very sick and skinny and seemed to not have any chance of survival.As Barkat’s situation was brought to the attention of the local media by the authorities, a local journalist visited the hospital and published an article about the story of Barkat’s journey to the hospital and asked for help from the community and social welfare institution.
A local member of HKBP church who knew about the program called the staff of HIV/AIDS committee and informed them about this situation after reading the article in the newspaper. As soon as the coordinator of the program learnt about this situation, she took immediate action and sent two staff members to Medan Hospital to be with Barkat. They stayed in the hospital and took care of Barkat for several weeks till he was out of danger and was able to move around.
In the meantime, HIV/AIDS committee decided to take full custody of Barkat. They worked with the social welfare department to make necessary arrangements for them to have the paperwork done. They also started a foundation in the name of Barkat so that people could contribute towards his medical care and future education.Barkat is now living in Balige with HIV/AIDS staff. Four of them keep Barkat in their home for one week each and they plan to continue this process till Barkat can go to an orphanage managed by HKBP in a nearby town. Barkat has three other siblings w
ho are in the same orphanage.When I visited the HIV/AIDS committee office in Balige, I met Barkat. He was very charming, smiling and lively young boy who always wanted love and attention. When I sat on the mat he jumped onto my lap and gave me a big smile.
There is HOPE for Barkat. As the HKBP program gets full custody, they plan to take care of him till he gets a good college education and stands on his own
feet. His host families have big dreams. Some say Barkat will be doctor specializing on HIV/AIDS.I am grateful that Barkat found a home. I am glad that due to our partnership with HIV/AIDS Committee of HKBP, it was possible for Barkat to survive and look forward to a life with many possibilities. I pray that the dreams of those who are engaged in taking care of Barkat will come true.
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