NAME:

COUNTRY:

AGE:

WORK:

FAMILY:

TREATMENT:

Nomsa

Swaziland

33 years

Translator at an HIV and AIDS clinic

5 year old son, Masibulele (also HIV +)

Began antiretroviral treatment in September 2006

Single mom Nomsa and her son, 5 year old Masibulele, live on the outskirts of Swaziland’s capital, Mbabane. Every weekday she and Masibulele take the bus to Masibulele’s preschool and then Nomsa heads off to work.

Both she and her son are HIV + but you wouldn’t know it thanks to the antiretroviral medication both have been taking for some time. Nomsa is brimming with health and little Masibulele is full of energy and mischief.

At the HIV clinic where she works, Nomsa is living proof that with the right treatment HIV is not a death sentence. If a mother is worried about the prospects for her HIV positive child, Nomsa tells them about her son and how healthy he is now. She tells them: “I thought my son might die too”.

In the coming years, Nomsa hopes to be able to study and become a fully fledged HIV and AIDS counselor. And as for Masibulele, she says: “I want to see my son go to pre-school, to school, to university and get married. Maybe I can see my grandchildren too!”