Nine months into her pregnancy in 2003, Odinga Louie-Warner of St. Vincent and the Grenadines learned that she was HIV positive.
Now she works to help others avoid the same fate. Shortly after her diagnosis, she became the face of HIV prevention campaigns in her country, and she has travelled around the region urging others to practice safe sexual habits.
Ms. Louie-Warner is scheduled to visit the Virgin Islands this week as part of the National AIDS Programme’s Valentine’s Day activities.
On Thursday, she is to speak with members of the clergy and officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
“She has an awesome personality,” said Noelene Levons-Clarke, coordinator of the NAP. “She is strong-willed and very knowledgeable, and she is a peer educator and peer counsellor. She is the one the health services sends out to persons who are infected, to check on them and make sure they are up to date with their treatment, care and everything that they need.”
Ms. Louie-Warner is also scheduled to meet with members of the New Day Foundation, a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members.
See the Feb. 13, 2014 edition for full coverage.
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