Sister Margaret Hosty: A Lifetime of Service to HIV/AIDS Community in Brazil

For Sister Margaret Hosty, a native of Cloonfad in West Roscommon, Ireland, the past 40 years in Brazil have been a journey of self-discovery, dedication, and remarkable service. Her story is an inspiring example of humanitarian effort, mission work, and community advocacy, primarily focusing on those living with HIV and AIDS. Her tireless efforts have significantly impacted the lives of countless individuals in the region where she has dedicated her life to improving their health and well-being.

Sister Margaret celebrated four decades of service while working in Brazil with the Sisters of Saint Louis. From 1985 onwards, her work involved co-founding the AAVE Group (AIDS, Assistance, Life, Hope) in the city of Goiânia in 1995, where they continue to provide essential services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This group endeavors to break down societal stigmas that surround this disease and provides education, advocacy, and direct support, particularly in the poorer areas of Brazil.

“It’s hard to believe I’m 40 years in Brazil already. I feel privileged and blessed to have worked here in Brazil for so long. It’s been a challenge but a challenge I’ve enjoyed. Living and working among the poor with HIV has contributed greatly to making me who I am today. I am grateful to God, to the Sisters of St. Louis, to the AAVE Group, and to all those whose lives have touched mine,” Sister Margaret said.

Growing up, Sister Margaret was clear about her aspirations. A childhood in a family of 12 on a farm in Cloonfad ensured her intimate understanding of hardships and the value of support. This clarity paved the way for an academic journey that began in 1967 in California, where she remained after joining the Sisters of Saint Louis, after completing her studies at Cal State Fullerton and beginning a teaching career. After this, she made a bold move towards her long-term mission, arriving in Brazil in 1985 to embrace a new life and mission.

The mission activities commenced with learning the Portuguese language and teaching English. Her commitment to the people led to accompanying washerwomen in forming syndicates, advocating for their rights, and ensuring they had a supportive network. This humanitarian urge fostered through her parish work.

“When I came to Brazil, I first had to learn Portuguese, the language we speak here. I then taught English and also began working with a group of washerwomen… women who wash other’s clothes by hand and iron them, accompanying them as they formed a syndicate to protect their rights as workers,” she explained. At the same time, she was also helping out in a parish on the outskirts of Goiânia where there wasn’t a priest. It was through a colleague and friend in parish work that she first met, and came to know, someone with AIDS.

Sister Margaret’s involvement with HIV/AIDS began colligating with parish duties and a close personal experience. Witnessing a colleague suffer from AIDS drove her to work towards eliminating such stigmas and discrimination within the HIV/AIDS community. She recalled, “I myself knew almost nothing about AIDS at the time, and from seeing the discrimination my friend suffered, I realized that so many others were also ill-informed, leading to fear and stigma for those with HIV/AIDS. After his death, I felt I needed to do something about this, and that was how I got into working with and for people living with HIV and AIDS and founded the AAVE Group.”

The AAVE Group provides a comprehensive array of services, including psychological support, counseling, home visits, legal guidance, and skills assessment for income-generating projects. Social welfare initiatives foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment for HIV/AIDS sufferers. Recent advancements, such as an increased focus on early testing and community awareness through outreach programs in schools, churches, and local neighborhoods, reflect Sister Margaret’s commitment to fostering hope and spreading awareness. The group, now receiving funding through several organizations, including Misean Cara, supports a wider range of community initiatives.

She said, “We go out into the community, to schools, church groups, factories, and door-to-door in neighborhoods to give correct information and to encourage early testing.”

In 2023, Sister Margaret was honored with a Human Rights Award from the Brazilian State of Goiás, recognizing her profound impact on the HIV/AIDS community. This accolade serves as a testament to her deeply rooted belief in the power of community and hope. Over the years, Sister Margaret feels blessed to have interacted with a community that has taught her valuable life lessons.

“One thing I’ve learned from these people is that they have hope, the need hope, and that they live in the present. As people with a serious illness, they don’t have the certainty of tomorrow. I think my work with people living with HIV/AIDS has helped me to live more in the present.”

Sister Margaret’s success story prompts reflection on the evolving dynamics of volunteerism globally, with the critical distinctions between short-term projects and sustained initiatives. While short-term missions are valuable for immediate impact, organizations dedicated to continuing efforts ensure long-term benefits and meaningful integration within communities.

HIV/AIDS education and support efforts in America often emulate similar resilience shown by Sister Margaret. For instance, in the past decade, New York’s community initiatives, such as those facilitated by Brooklyn-based organizations, leverage outreach programs to ensure early intervention, similar to the AAVE Group. Furthermore, the National AIDS Trust in West Ham, London successfully mimicked outreach efforts, implementing programs aimed at community education, early intervention, and destigmatization.

While a growing body of support for worldwide HIV/AIDS awareness exists, challenges persist. Issues involving limited resources, stigmatization, and inadequate public awareness remain among the primary obstacles, compelling organizations to innovate and expand their outreach. Sister Margaret’s mission in Brazil underscores the importance of sustained, deeply-engaged work in such efforts, demonstrating that success relies not solely on immediate intervention but also on fostering long-term, reliable community support.

Sister Margaret’s longstanding commitment to her work and her people has inspired many to become part of the global effort against HIV and AIDS. Future endeavors involve building on the recognition and appreciation extended by organizations such as Misean Cara, emphasizing sustainable development and community involvement. With non-profits’ combined efforts, the visionary work of the AAVE Group prepares to extend support in developing a global brood of support systems enhancing awareness, fostering integration, and providing resilient community services.