01 Dec 2021

Learning that you are HIV positive can be a nightmare for some, as many questions clouds the mind, such as how they got infected, and how it was likely to affect their life.

For 15-year-old Kelebogile Moesi learning about her status at eight years old, she had no clue how it would change her life.

After her mother passed away in 2001, life was normal as she had her grandmother Norah Tshegetsang and her aunt Mpho Moesi-Montsho to hold her hand.

“Ï used to go for CD 4 count monitoring checkups with my grandmother and to me it was just a health routine until when at junior Secondary I had to go on my own. I enquired from a lab technician why I had to do that blood test and realising that I was clueless the officer called someone to take me through,” said Ms Moesi now 25 years.

At the time, she believed that an HIV positive person should be bed ridden and on nappies.

“I took it lightly and life had to go on. Reality sank in when I enrolled for Treat All Programme. I realised that my life was about to change. 

I started being quizzical about how I got it, was it through pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding? All I am sure about is that there was no PMTCT programme by the time I was born.”

Ms Moesi, who hails from Molalatau but raised in Selebi Phikwe said being HIV positive at a tender age was not easy as there was a lot of discrimination  against HIV positive people   

She became secretive about her status for fear of rejection, till 2019 when she crossed paths with HIV activists Sesame Tseme, Bonolo Selaedi and One Boy.  

Even after meeting them it was not easy to disclose to people because of low self- esteem, stemming from people’s reactions towards her status.

“Relationships are some of the best stones of my life; a combination of sadness, drama, happiness, fear and much more. 

Many guys left when I told them about HIV status, but I did not give up on love because I believed the right man will come my way” she said.

Living a roller coaster life was sapping the energy she did not have, and as such she decided that she owed no one a negative status.

“On August 24 last year I decided to let the world know about my HIV status. I was scared but I owed it to myself to live freely.  

I went public on my Facebook account and later opened a FB page dubbed Living the life beyond HIV-Kelebogile Moesi.” 

The page has more than 15 000, followers.

She did that to set the agenda for others in a similar position. Her page raises awareness and educates people about living positively.

 “I was overwhelmed when people started to inbox me in need to talk while some sought counselling.”

The response were a reflection of challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.

She said some of the numerous problems are discrimination, changes in the patterns of relationships (intimacy) and many more which make it hard for them to accept their status resulting in some  defaulting on treatment. She said people were quick to judge without knowing the reason behind HIV statuses.

She said she had since discovered that more people were positive and but were scared to share even with their closest relatives for fear of discrimination.

She said though she had been through challenges she had no regrets, as she had become a better person because of her experience.

Ms Moesi said an HIV positive person’s survival depended on one’s support system, which was necessary for one to accept their status, and live a positive life.

She said adherence was vital, and urged people to stop hiding their medication .

The youngster, whose dream is to impact others’ lives, pointed out that being HIV positive did not have to stop anyone from living a long, happy and fulfilled life.

“Being HIV positive is not the end of the world, with the right treatment and support, it is possible to live as long as the average person” she said.

She said her status had significantly shaped her life, but did not define.

Chief Public Relations Officer, Dr Christopher Nyanga said HIV Prevalence among youth is estimated at 6.49 per cent, which  is approximately 27 728 young people living with HIV as at the end of December 2020.

He said approximately 374 071 people are living with HIV in Botswana. Ends