As the dark monsoon clouds give way for the sun, yellowish crimson rays fall on Ambika’s face. She squints and continues to intently inspect the lush green lettuce she is growing in her backyard. The 17-year-old is living with HIV and lost both her parents to AIDS. With a glint in her eyes and a perpetual smile, she casually mentions that she likes to run in the mornings. Later, her coach proudly reveals that she is a 10-kilometre runner and is preparing to participate in the next Durban Marathon. Her friends Ashwini and Bhawani, aged 18 and 16 years, both living with HIV and 10 km runners themselves, proudly mention that, “Ambika won the Bangalore Ultra run. It was 12.5 km!”
These young women are a part of an initiative called Champion in Me that uses sport to respond to stigma and discrimination against adolescents living with HIV. Based in Bangalore, the programme uses running as a medium to empower them and strengthen their belief in themselves. Today, almost 200 children living with HIV are part of the programme, and it continues to expand. They live as a family together in the premises of Snehagram, an organization located in Tamil Nadu. Aimed at meeting the needs of adolescents living with HIV, the programme provides long- and short-term opportunities for academic learning and vocational skill development.
Manik and Babu, both 18 years old, are part of Champion in Me. They have participated in more than 20 runs, including at events such as the International Children’s Games in the Netherlands, the IDBI Marathon in New Delhi and the Boston Marathon. Their journey, challenges and experiences have been documented in Running Positive, a film screened at the International AIDS Conference, being held in in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from 23 to 27 July.
Manik said, “This film will motivate you to question the conventional image of an HIV-positive individual in India and the treatment meted out to them.” Babu explains that the film sheds light on how sports can be used to mainstream a segment of society that is vulnerable and discriminated against.
Their elated coach, Elvis Joseph, said, “I have champions who are running not just for themselves, but for all their friends who are living with HIV.”
“These young people living with HIV have inspired all of us. They have now documented their lives in this touching movie,” said Bilali Camara, UNAIDS Country Director for India.
