Mosele Hlaoli

Hlaoli is 31 and one of the sickest, but most effervescent AIDS patients at the clinic. She's lived with HIV/AIDS for six years. She's gaunt and prematurely aged. In the AIDS support group, Hlaoli is respected and loved by all. Her laughter and always-ready hugs make her a favourite when spirits are low.

"I discovered I was HIV positive while I was pregnant," says Hlaoli. "I didn't know who to tell, so I didn't tell anyone. That made the news very, very difficult because I was dealing with it alone. I told myself I had to protect my child, so I didn't tell anyone."

Hlaoli had antiretrovial treatment while she was pregnant, which prevented the transmission of the virus to her child. Hlaoli's own brothers rejected her when her status was eventually revealed, and would have nothing to do with her. Recently, however, they have come to accept her.

"The most difficult part for me," says Hlaoli, "is that no one could accept me. The suspected I had the disease and already there was a stigma against me." When she was first diagnosed six years ago, Haoli thought her life was over.

"I kept asking myself, 'What am I going to do with my children? What is going to happen to my children if I die because of the disease?' I am glad that I am still alive."