Creating Safe and Empowering Spaces for PLHIV
For many people living with HIV (PLHIV), discrimination and stigma continue to silence their voices, limit their opportunities, and hinder their confidence to thrive. In Indonesia, where social taboos remain strong, PLHIV often face barriers to employment, entrepreneurship, and even self-expression.
To respond to these challenges, Earth Company provided a US$3,000 grant to Impact Hero 2024 cohort member, Scott Alfaz, to implement the “Voice of Equality” program — a heartfelt initiative designed to create safe and empowering spaces for PLHIV to learn, share, and grow together. The program combined knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and storytelling to help participants not only understand their rights, but also reclaim their dreams and dignity.
Throughout the year, the program ran three series of online activities — from public webinars to personalized mentorship and a peer support group — reaching 36 participants, 89% of whom were PLHIV. More than a project, Voice of Equality became a community: one that encouraged honest conversations, mutual support, and the belief that equality starts with being heard.
At a Glance
Alfaz, living with HIV since 2012, turned his lowest point into a triumph. While overcoming depression, he graduated cum laude and pursued education in the Netherlands. Upon returning, he became a beacon of hope, sharing his journey on social media and actively educating about HIV. His story inspires people living with HIV (PLHIV) to live their best lives, challenging societal stigma.
Alfaz founded HayVee, providing a prejudice eradication program for sexual and mental health, reaching over 1,500 youth in Indonesia. Now, his vision expands, aiming to create a platform offering a safe space for those battling sexual and mental health issues. Alfaz, a resilient advocate, transforms his personal journey into a powerful force for change, fighting stigma and discrimination one story at a time.
Empowering Through Knowledge, Mentorship, and Community
Across its three-part series — "Knowing Our Rights," "Taking Real Steps," and "Empowering Stories" — the Voice of Equality program offered practical learning and emotional support for PLHIV. Participants not only learned about their legal rights but also found the courage to share their personal stories of stigma and discrimination, often for the first time. Through group and one-on-one mentoring sessions, they explored how to turn their ideas into sustainable livelihoods. The peer support group and webinars became rare safe spaces where PLHIV could express themselves freely, rediscover confidence, and build solidarity.
Restoring Dignity and Confidence
The program’s most tangible impact was seen in the participants who turned knowledge into action. Two PLHIV entrepreneurs, Raja and Alam, received mini-grants and extended mentorship to grow their businesses. Raja revitalized the traditional herbal drink brand, expanding operations and planning to open a new outlet; while Alam successfully launched a home-cooked noodle business now available on an Indonesian online delivery platform. Beyond these individual successes, the creation of a PLHIV entrepreneur community group ensures continued connection, shared learning, and peer encouragement long after the program ended — proving that empowerment multiplies when voices are heard and supported.
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