Do you remember Queen Joy Katwesige? The remarkable multi-award-winning advocate with a mission to see a generation free of stigma and gender-based violence. Well, we have an exciting update for you.
We first introduced Queen Joy, also known as Favour Joy, to you back in January. At the time, she was living in the orphanage where she had grown up with about 40 other children. Having been born HIV-positive and abandoned by her mother on the street at one month old, the future seemed bleak. But there was something greater at play. Queen Joy became a passionate advocate and is pumping up the volume to end stigma and violence.
She has returned to The Weight She Carries to share how an unimaginable miracle took place when she least expected it.
I was so excited when you told me that you were adopted! Please tell us what happened.
I remember that it happened on a Sunday when l was a guest on a 4-hour show, just sharing about my life, when one of the listeners mentioned that they wanted to adopt me. It blew me away because l least expected that something like that would ever happen.
Later on that day, they came to the station, and l was called in to meet them, which was a very emotional moment. l was very happy, and later on, we went to visit one of the grandmothers who had cared for me over the years, which was also an emotional moment as well.
Meet HIV/AIDS Activist Who is Living Boldly and Victoriously
l never knew my father. The circumstances surrounding my being left in the streets are that my mother could no longer care for me as she was a victim of gender-based violence. She died shortly after visiting me at the orphanage, so my hopes of going to live with her after leaving the orphanage were shattered. Read more…
That is such a beautiful story. Please tell us a bit more about your new family.
All l can say is that my tears have been wiped away. They are a loving Christian family that treasures and takes care of me. They love me in a way that l never thought l could be loved. The fact that l have somewhere to belong fills me with joy and peace.
Please elaborate on your most recent achievements!
These awards brought me to a new celebration in my life! For the National Girl Champion Award, l was nominated by different people under the Survivor Advocacy category, people who believe in the work that l am doing even though l feel as if l am not doing enough sometimes. There were four nominees, and l came out on top, which boosted my confidence so much. The other very notable award is the Inspirational Queen of the Year award. We have over 30 pageants in Uganda. All the queens were brought under one roof, and l won under the Inspirational Queen of the Year category, which made me realize that the work l am doing is making an impact, not only in my community but nationally, which gives me the courage and strength to press on.
My plea is always the same on every platform: to see a stigma-free society, a society with zero to no cases of gender-based violence, and one where there is a better understanding of HIV and related issues.
