Some people serve because it is their job. Others serve because they believe that no life should be left behind. Clara Keji belongs to the latter.
For more than a decade, Clara has stood on the frontlines of the HIV response, dedicating her time, courage and compassion to serving key populations (KPs), particularly female sex workers (FSWs), in Yei. Her journey is more than a story of professional commitment
it is a story of purpose, resilience and a determination to bridge the gap between vulnerable communities and the life-saving health services available to them.
Clara began her journey as a peer educator in 2014, working with other partners in Yei. In 2022, she joined the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU), where she continued and strengthened her commitment to reaching communities that often face stigma, discrimination and barriers to HIV services.
For Clara, this work is deeply personal. She recalls witnessing some key populations die from HIV-related complications despite the availability of life-saving treatment and preventive services. Rather than accepting this as inevitable, those experiences became a motivation for her to step up her efforts.
“Seeing some KPs dying of HIV when there are drugs and preventive services motivated me to step up my effort to bridge the gap.”
Clara also witnessed the psychosocial challenges faced by many KPs. Frustration, stigma and discrimination often made it difficult for clients to seek or remain engaged in HIV services. These experiences strengthened her determination to become a trusted link between KPs and the health services available to them.
She joined as peer educator at a time when stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and key populations were high. Yet, despite the challenges and the fear surrounding the work, Clara never considered turning back. She remained focused on her objective: saving lives by ensuring that KPs are connected to the services they need.
Through her work with NEPWU, Clara has provided HIV prevention information, conducted peer-to-peer outreach, distributed and demonstrated correct condom use, supported STI referrals, and provided adherence counselling to clients receiving HIV treatment. Her approach goes beyond simply providing information she builds trust, follows up with clients and encourages them to take ownership of their health.
Her impact is measurable. Since joining NEPWU in 2022, Clara has successfully linked 35 new clients to HIV treatment at the ART center. Behind this number are 35 individuals who were given an opportunity to access treatment, receive care and continue living their lives with hope.
Today, in Yei River County, Clara continues to work alongside fellow peer educators, reaching communities and ensuring that HIV prevention and treatment services are not out of reach for those who need them most.
Her journey is a reminder that peer educators are more than outreach workers. They are bridges between communities and health services, trusted voices in difficult conversations, and champions who continue to show up when others may be afraid to.
Clara Keji’s story represents the dedication, courage and compassion of peer educators who work on the frontlines of the HIV response. Her commitment since 2014 and her continued service with NEPWU since 2022 demonstrates what can happen when one person chooses to stand with a community and refuse to give up.
NEPWU recognizes and celebrates Clara Keji for her outstanding commitment, resilience and contribution to saving lives and strengthening access to HIV prevention and treatment services among key populations in Yei River County.
With Support from The Global Fund through UNDP, NEPWU is providing comprehensive HIV prevention services to KPs, Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) screening, Tuberculosis (TB) Referral, Linkage to Family Planning Services and provision of Psychosocial First Aids
