Positively Inspiring!

Meet an inspiring young woman... 32 year old Keketso lives in Lesotho and is young, dynamic and a mother of two children. Her friends call her “Keke”.

Keke learnt that she was HIV positive in 2000 and in 2003 her first husband died of AIDS.

Despite this, Keke has been determined to show others, including her 13 year old son and ten year old daughter, that HIV need not stop anyone achieving amazing things. As an ‘Expert Patient’ at a local ARV center, Keketso now counsels and helps others who have HIV. In addition she regularly gives talks encouraging people of all ages to get tested and know their HIV status. Last November Keke even won the title of “Queen of Positive Living 2008”. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy which (RED) helps finance in Lesotho, Keke is well and leading a busy and very positive life

It’s not easy to be so open about being HIV positive but Keke is leading the way and reassuring people by her own dynamic presence that living with HIV shouldn’t stop people from living full and meaningful lives.

But why not hear more from Keke herself…

Keketso S.

As you may know, my name is Keketso. I am 32 years of age. I live in Mafeteng, Lesotho. I am a woman living with HIV. I was infected by my husband who died in 2003 with HIV related illnesses while working in South African mines. I discovered my HIV status in 2000.

I became very sick in early 2003, I had TB of the lungs, pneumonia and asthma. I was [so] skinny it hurt, [and I looked] like [a] skeleton. My CD4* count was only 2 and that means I had AIDS and I was losing the battle to HIV. I am now on ARVs* which I started in 2002 and I am on first line regiment. My CD4 count is 984 and I would like to say thanks to the ARVs.

I have two children – a boy and a girl. They are both HIV negative. I have a man of my dreams who is also HIV positive and we are getting married in September. We support each other and we want to save more lives. He is also on ARVs. I became a member of LENEPWHA* in 2005. I am a treasurer in the district executive committee.

I have won the Miss Positive Living trophy in November 2008.

I am now working in the ARV Centre called Karabong in Mafeteng as an Expert Patient. My job is to provide the health talk, adherence and positive living to the patients, and many other duties assigned to me from time to time. Stigma and discrimination is now not much because a lot is known about HIV.

I am really excited about my wedding coming up this month. My boyfriend is also HIV positive and on ARVs and we will support each other”.

Since providing this piece Keketso was married and we at (RED) wish her and her husband much happiness in their new life together.

*CD4 cells or T-cells are the cells that HIV attacks. In turn HIV weakens the immune system, making it unable to protect the body from illness and infection. The higher the number of CD4 cells the stronger your immune system.

*ARVs or antiretroviral drugs disrupt the action of HIV. ARVs stop or interfere with the reproduction of virus in the body. The immune cells are then able to live longer and provide the body with protection.

*LENEPWHA is the Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS

Keketso

Keketso, centre, after being crowned Miss Positive Living 2008

Queen of Positive Living Keke was radiant the night she won