2009 - Malawi - Caroline Uko

May 2009

Dear friend,

My dream of becoming a lawyer could now be a reality, thanks to your support of ActionAid and The Next Step in Malawi.

Two years ago my dreams were shattered when I found out I was HIV positive. But with ActionAid's help my dream has returned.

My name is Caroline Uko. I'm thirteen years old and I live with my elder sister and her family on the outskirts of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. With the help of Leo Magombo from ActionAid, I'm happy to tell you my story.

I live with my sister because my mother died of malaria when I was seven. I don't know where my father is; he divorced my mother when I was two.

When I was eleven I had a horrible skin rash. Then my eyes started to hurt and I got malaria and diarrhoea. My health was deteriorating rapidly. I went to the local Mission Hospital where I was advised to take an HIV test. I was very scared but I took the test. I was HIV positive. It was at this time that my family realised my mother had been HIV positive and I had caught the virus when she was pregnant with me.

I thought my life was over. But I was encouraged to take antiretroviral drugs and after one month, I started to feel better. I gained a kilogramme in weight and started feeling well enough to go back to school.

But I didn't see the point in going back to school. Surely my journey to become a lawyer was ended. Surely I would die soon! This was when ActionAid arrived in my life and gave me hope.

ActionAid works with a youth group called 'Tin Pamodzi', which means We Are Together. The group offers support and counselling to children like me who are HIV positive. There are 31 of us aged between five and 17. We meet together regularly and with the support of our counsellors we share our experiences and challenges and encourage each other to live our lives fully.

Joining this group turned my life around. Our counsellors and guest speakers give us talks on nutrition, healthy and positive living, first aid, discrimination and fighting stigma. I've learnt about the importance of nutrition to improve my immunity and I've learnt how to make nutritious meals from local foods like Soya and milk.

When we meet we are given a nutritious meal and afterwards we play games like football or netball to keep us physically fit. We are also given two kg of Multivitamin meal every week to boost our immunity.

Recently, we had a brilliant talk about career development and the importance of continuing our education by Mrs Mpinganjira, my favourite counsellor. She restored my hopes and dreams of becoming a renowned lawyer.

I'm now healthy and happy and no longer scared of the future. I'm studying in grade seven at Mvunguti Primary School and hope to pass my exams next year and continue my studies at Mlanda Girl's Secondary School and then University.

I am grateful for your tremendous support of ActionAid and The Next Step. It has changed my life and renewed my dreams. I now have a life to live. Thank you!

Best wishes Caroline Uko

PS. I have sent you two photos of me to show you how healthy and happy I am. I hope you like them.