Three years ago my aunt was dignosed with HIV. It came as a shock to me, I wished it was a lie , my family was devastated. She wasnt what one would consider promiscuous, so those who think that you cant get it because you have one partner, who you think is faithful , you're wrong!

I love my aunt dearly, she's a beautiful person and she has been so strong. I admire her will to survive despite the social stigma that remains attached to this disease. In my community and country for the most part persons with HIV try to keep their diagnosis secret to avoid some of the harsh criticism and condeming attitude of persons who as far as I'm concerned are undereducated about the disease.

At one point I thought she was going to die. She had moved out of our home and stopped taking her medications. Of course she got very sick , she lost a lot of weight and had to be admitted to the hospital. Luckily she was discharged a few days later and we poured even more love and support to her and she started taking her medications again. We encouraged her to come back home. I think she was scared to because everyone in my neighbourhood suspected that she had HIV , and she didnt know how to face our neighbours.

She eventually came home and there was a warm reception from some of her friends, others didnt come by and pretended she was a stranger. I know my aunt got depressed at times, the medications made her sick because of the side effects, but she never complained. I never heard her blame anyone, even though we did.

I dont know how much longer we have with her, I want to never say goodbye but I know I may have to someday. HIV affects us all, the individual, the family , the community, the country and the world. Unfortunately none of us are immune , and nobody  "deserves"  this disease or any other. I encourage the global strategy to eliminate HIV by educating persons about prevention and this is not only done through the use of a condom it goes much deeper than that.

I am 25 years old, I have had unprotected sex many times knowing fully well the risks, I could have contracted HiV and so could you. Let's love and care for each other and ourselves by getting tested regulaly, abstaining or avoiding unprotected sex.