Gracia has always been interested in working with vulnerable populations, but it wasn’t until she contracted HIV during her anthropology studies that HIV/AIDS advocacy became her passion. At that time, there was no support for HIV+ Bolivians. As she says, she knew she could “sit there and wait for death to come or do something.” From that moment on, Gracia has made it her mission to advocate for better access to healthcare and support for HIV+ people in her country. She sees the resurgence of HIV as a warning flag about the failures of the nation’s larger health system and her NGO focuses on HIV/AIDS advocacy and care as well as a greater push for Universal Health Care to support all Bolivians in need of care.”
