“To accurately sum up the highs and lows of this journey, and try to explain in simple terms what exactly it has looked like, we turned to one phrase from one particular story – “Drinking from the Same Cup.” Though used originally in one individual’s story to convey the burden of fear, stigma and discrimination around sharing or using the same cup as someone living with HIV, the phrase also wonderfully sums up ACET’s journeying in life with those affected by HIV and those we want to educate about HIV-related issues. As an organisation we were established as a response to a barrier of fear that we wanted to break down – to go where others wouldn’t, to talk about what others shied away from. Today, we continue to put this at the heart of what we do, seeking to respond to challenging issues by sharing in them alongside others.
“Drinking from the Same Cup,” speaks about not only the sharing in one another’s challenges but also to the reality that we all have much to learn from each other. More so, it speaks of a simple action that can be taken which overcomes fears and presumptions and says in essence, “we are the same.” “
