Friends of Life, founded by Sany Kozman, is an organization dedicated to enable people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Egypt to live fulfilling, productive lives and to combat the pervasive social stigma and alienation that they face, by building a movement of, by, and for PLHA. The organization, run entirely by PLHA, places ownership in the hands of those living with HIV/AIDS so these individuals can take charge of their care and prevention efforts.
By putting an unusually public and personal face on HIV/AIDS care, Sany is aiming to change public attitudes towards HIV positive people. Believing that people living with HIV/AIDS must be at the forefront of efforts to combat the disease, Friends of Life is mobilizing Egypt’s growing population of PLHA behind a movement to increase dialogue around HIV/AIDS and to advocate for better care. The organization is working to improve the physical and psychological health of PLHA, develop their economic potential and professional skills, and enable them to play an active role in HIV/AIDS-related awareness efforts in their community, thereby paving the way for their long-term integration into mainstream society.
The second pillar of his work relies on public awareness and advocacy campaigns, wherein aiming to change popular misconceptions about PLHA and to break down the widespread and harmful prejudices that lead to mental and physical isolation of PLHA. By engaging the government and health sectors, Sany hopes to ensure greater access to basic social and economic rights for PLHA. Specifically, he aims to improve the quality of medical treatment for PLHA and make treatment more accessible.