"I want to be a light in the world."

Magdalen volunteers in hard-to-reach communities [Simon Rawles]

Magdalen Donatus, 43, started caring for people with HIV after her daughter died because of AIDS. She volunteers with St Monica’s health clinic in Nigeria, a CAFOD partner.

I have volunteered for the last seven years. We started by setting up camp in a church and asking people who were HIV positive to come along for medication.

A couple of years ago we became a mobile service and started visiting people in their homes. We realised that many people were too weak to walk to the church, so it made sense for us to visit them.

I try to help those who do not receive help from another person. I know what it’s like to live a life overshadowed by HIV. My daughter died from AIDS ten years ago and I cared for her until her death.

Our neighbours discriminated against us when they found out our daughter was HIV positive. They would come and greet her, then leave and talk behind her back. But I stood my ground and held my head high. She was my daughter and I was not - and never will be - ashamed of her.

Having experienced the loss of my daughter, I decided to help others with HIV. It felt like God’s work and a way to heal my grief. I wish that home volunteers were around when my daughter was unwell. Having someone to speak to would have given me great comfort.

I volunteer twice a week. It takes me about half an hour to walk from my house to my first patient, then another hour to walk to my second and third patients. I usually spend one or two hours with each person.

As well as giving time, I have also donated some of my own money. Our group gave rice and yams to the patients in December as a Christmas present. They were so happy and that made me feel happy too.

If I see somebody in need and I can help, I will. If I have some spare food, I will give it away. My faith has shaped me as a person. I want to be a light in the world. I want to help those who live in darkness.

I will be a volunteer until I die or until I am so old that I can no longer walk. Volunteering is part of who I am - it makes me a better person.

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