Tina

My name is Tinah. I am born in a family of 3 children. We are living an average life and all is well until father dies when I am 12. Mum is struggling to care for us and becomes unwell. We cannot afford medication for her and she is getting worse. It is the first day of my final exams in primary school. Mum dies. I fail my exam but manage to re-sit and pass.

My uncle promises to pay my school fees but he cannot. I drop out of school. I have nothing else to do. I join a group of friends and they introduce me to sex work. My life begins to change for worse. Two years later, I am not well. I keep feeling sick off and on. I am diagnosed with HIV. Some of my fellow sex workers tell me it is normal to have HIV if you are in this trade. I get encouragement from them and begin my medication I grow strong again. My brother encourages me to go back to school. He offers to pay and I complete my secondary education. I get a job at the facility where I take my ARV. I do filing. I use my earnings to enroll for a counseling course which I undertake successfully. I am however not able to pick my certificate because I have school fees arrears. I will use the knowledge gained to support youth to believe in themselves and stay free of HIV. 

I believe as young women with HIV we need love. We need to be accepted and to have families and children one day.