“We cannot choose the circumstances of our birth but we can choose how we live out our lives”
My name is Jenny. I am 18 years old. My father died when I was a young girl, and my mother remarried and I and my little sister lived with my grandmother. We were both HIV positive as a result of my mother’s infection.
I got to know the staff of CAM since I was 5 years old, because they visited my neighbours, and then our family. My neighbor introduced us to CAM because they knew that my 3 year old sister was unwell, and then CAM realized my grandmother was caring for 2 small children who were HIV positive. My sister died when she was just 5 years old and I was 7 years old. CAM has continued to help us and visit us almost every month for over 10 years, and have helped us with many things, such as school costs ( such as fees, uniforms, food and books) and have always been a source of encouragement and advice for my grandmother and I. CAM staff are like family to me- Khun Nawanat and Khun Jaruwan have been like a mother for me throughout my life.They have helped put me in touch with hospitals and social services that are available to help people living with HIV/AIDS. Through this I have been able to attend camps and training sessions with other young people living with HIV, like me. I have a very good doctor, Dr Suparat, at the hospital who shows care and empathy for all of us- she is a very special lady.
I have now finished my school studies and will be going to university this year. I would first like to study to be a nurse. I want to be able to help and care for other people, especially my family members and my friends who are also HIV positive. I want to help them to be strong and healthy despite being HIV positive. If I am unable to be a nurse, I would like to be a senior school teacher so that I can help teach young people to be good citizens.
I would like to thank Dr Erlinda and the CCA AIDS Programme for sponsoring me and giving me the opportunity to share my story with you all. May God Bless you.
Thank you.
Her name was changed in this post to protect her identity. Jenny is part of my HIV/AIDS photo project. She is an amazing young lady and I believe she has a bright future ahead of her despite having HIV.
