They say "there is light at the end of the tunnel." For many of us living with HIV, that light was hard to see during the darkest times. Stigma made our lives feel like hell. The death of our loved ones was a terrible nightmare. What a journey it has been.
Even after 100 years, we will never stop speaking about where we came from, while of course appreciating the progress we have made in the HIV progress, just like Covid-19 came, locked down the whole world, took our loved ones but we continue to speak of it because of scars it has left us with.
Have you just been told you are living with HIV? Take a seat. Let's chat.
The road you are about to walk is much lighter now. It is lighter because we are here, writing and speaking openly about our status. It is lighter because people living with HIV can now start life-saving treatment immediately, without waiting for their CD4 counts to drop. It is lighter because there is a strong PLHIV movement determined to support initiatives that will end HIV.
If I take you a few years back, many of us lived in communities that made us feel we did not belong. Yes, it was scary. Many PLHIV delayed their education and careers because of the belief that we were dying at any moment. That is what the community made us feel, and many of us believed it because we were losing loved ones almost every day.
Those who had mead to do something there was always a question, "should I start my degree? But why if I am dying soon, and no one can't inherit it." This has been a hard road for all of us. Seeing the light now means we deserve to tap ourselves on the back for the leadership we hold and for not being afraid to tell OUR STORIES.
Personally, I wish I had known I would still be alive in 2026. Ha-ha, I could have started chasing my dreams long ago. But eish… stigma had its way with me and with many of us. It scared the hell out of us. Yet here we are now, continuing to thrive.
According to the latest UNAIDS fact sheet, around 41 million people globally were living with HIV in 2025. As I write this, I want to say: we are stronger together. There are 41 million unique stories and lived experiences that will continue shaping this journey, and victory will be ours.
Whether you have been living with HIV for one month, one year, or 30 years, we got this. We will continue fighting and continue strengthening what we have built together.
My thoughts on paper
Helena
Namibia
