A mother with HIV in Thailand
holds her daughter's hand.
© UNICEF HQ98-1166/Shehzad
Noorani |
Here are two
stories by girls aged eleven and thirteen whose lives have been
affected by HIV/AIDS. They have parents they love and dreams for
their future, just like other children.
Pha is an eleven year old girl from Thailand whose father died of AIDS
and mother is sick with the virus. Here is her story:
“When I dream of my home I imagine my dad is sweeping up leaves and my
mum is watering flowers in a garden bed. There’s a stream with some
ducks swimming alone. And there’s a bridge spanning the water, a
perfect place to read a book. At the moment I’m living with my mum and
five year old sibling. I love my mum and dad very much because
they’re the ones who brought me into this world. I’m still thinking
about my dad. Sometimes I sit with mum and cry. Both of us cared for
dad when he was ill. He was thin and his skin was dark. Teachers used
to ask about this when he took me to school. Now he is dead. My
classmates isolate me. I’ve only got one friend. However, my teacher
understands me well and lets me help out in the school sickbay. I’ve
read about AIDS. During the holidays I go off selling flowers while my
classmates go off to attend special courses. I work to help pay for my
school fees. I don’t have tutoring since I’m serious about my studies
and confident that I’ll pass my school exams.
When my dad died, I didn’t cry. I’ve been able to control myself, but
sometimes my classmates gossip about me. This has been hurtful and
made me cry in secret. Every day I tell my mum about what they've
said. I always try to keep her spirits up, I take care of preparing
her meals. Sometimes mum doesn’t go to work, she says she's too lazy to go.
In fact, she’s not well, and nobody wants to give her a job. At the
moment mum is at home and takes in washing to earn some money. I told
her that when we’re still strong enough we should work and save money
for when we grow old, or for when we’re unable to work any longer. If
mum becomes very ill I’ll stop going to school and look after her. But
I really want to study and become a nurse.
From Dream Diary, AIDS Network Development Project (published with support from UNICEF Thailand and other organisations)
Keng is a 13 year old girl with HIV. Here is her story:
“The first time I went to the beach was in October 2003. I swam in the
sea amidst the blue sky and the beautiful breeze. I allowed the waves
to take me to the shore. I felt like I could fly – fly to see my
mother in heaven.
I want to visit my Mum but I don’t want to be with her right now. I
have to keep fighting in this world, I have a family to take care of.
I am worried about my sister. She’s a little slow and needs to be
guided. Grandma has diabetes so I have to look after her and also help
my uncle earn money for my family.
When I began to get sick, I wondered why so I asked my mum and she told
me that I had “AIDS”. I was frightened and burst out in tears. Mum
cried and said, “I am sorry for giving you the virus and that I made
you sick so you couldn’t go to school. If I had known that you’d have
the virus I wouldn’t have wanted you to be born and have pain. If I
could take the pain away from you, I would”. I then said to Mum, “I
want to be with you. Don’t you want me to be with you?”
Right now, I want to tell my Mum that I am not in great pain. Don’t
worry, I can take it. There are good medications and understanding
doctors who help me. I have many supportive people around me. I am
glad I am her child.
Dad was not with Mum and me since I was very little, then he died. I
used to get angry with him because he gave Mum the disease. But I
guessed he didn’t know that he gave Mum the disease. Mum didn’t mean
to give me the disease. She didn’t know. We could not see the virus.”
From Paint My Life, published by The “We Understand” Group, Thailand – supported by UNICEF Thailand and other organisations
|
