African Migrants

According to ‘HIV Monitoring’, an organization that accurately keeps track of all data about the HIV community in the Netherlands, there are 3.015 people in the Netherlands with an African (south of the Sahara) background. In total, there are more than 24.000 HIV-infected people in the Netherlands. Medication adherence among African HIV-infected people seems high at more than 80%, but it is almost 10% lower than the average of more than 90% for native Dutch people.

Karim, Kofi, George, Paul and Layron

All have a past in Africa. With the exception of George, they were all born in Africa and have not been in the Netherlands for very long. As the son of African immigrants, George, who was born in the Netherlands, is the exception.

The men live all over the Netherlands. They know each other from the national meeting days organized by the HIV association and from the meetings organized by SHIVA where many men and women with African roots meet.
All five men have their own, often dramatic histories. But there is also much that unites them. Their HIV status is a difficult story for all five to share. Even their immediate family and closest friends do not know that they are HIV positive. For now, none of them plan on telling them.
The stigma against HIV in their immediate environment is enormous, they say. In addition, three of the men are homosexual or bisexual. That doesn’t make it any easier to be open.
Karim, Kofi, Paul and Layron are refugees and all four are still in the asylum procedure. A long, difficult and uncertain time. Karim has been waiting for two and a half years for a decision whether he can stay and, if so, whether his wife and two daughters can come to the Netherlands.
The asylum procedure puts the lives of these four men at a standstill. The long days are spent doing chores where they can, lots of internet and watching television and visiting newly made friends. They are happy with the good health care and all four want to stay, despite the long wait.

Karim

42 years old, born in Senegal.
He has now been waiting two and a half years for a result of his asylum application. “My life has come to a standstill. I want to move on.”

Kofi

42 years old, born in Ghana.
Has lived in the Netherlands for 5 years and has a residence permit but no Dutch passport yet. “I want to work in IT.”

George

41 years old, born in the Netherlands as the son of Ghanaian immigrants.
Works as a collection officer for the municipality. “My partner does not know that I am HIV positive.”

Paul

34 years old, born in Ghana.
Has lived in the Netherlands for three and a half years. Works as a volunteer. “When can I stop taking the pills?”

Layron

35 years old, born in Ghana.
Lived at the Asylum Seekers Reception Centre in Ter Apel for a year and a half. Wandered through Europe for 5 years. “I have five passports.”