Durga (name changed) escaped from her abusive, alcoholic husband when she became pregnant.

“I knew I had to flee, to save myself and my unborn child,” Durga said. What she didn’t know was that her husband had infected her with HIV.

Durga, who had been married off by her parents when she was just 17, sought refuge in her father’s house, about 40km outside Kolkata.

She started working as a domestic help to supplement the little her father earned working in a local shop.

A few years later she developed a skin infection.

 “Even after months of treatment, my condition did not get better. My local doctors transferred me to the government hospital.”

Tests there showed Durga was HIV positive. “When the doctors explained and I finally understood, I did not want to believe it at all. Especially as my son also tested positive.”

Finally facing up to this life-altering diagnosis, she started treatment in 2018. 

But when the pandemic hit neither she nor her father could work for long periods  – which meant that Durga and her son weren’t able to get the level of nutrition that people with HIV need. 

Hope came last year when a compassionate assistant at the hospital told Durga about Calcutta Rescue – whose leading HIV programme was pioneered by its founder Dr Jack.

So Durga came to Tala Park Clinic with her son and was given food, clothes and health education in addition to essential medications.

Since then there has been a remarkable improvement in their health and overall well-being.

“I can’t thank Calcutta Rescue enough for their support. My son and I are now healthy, only because of them. Now, I want my son to have a healthy and happy life ahead.”