13TH INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE HELD IN DURBAN
Care for us and accept us, we are all human beings
By Nkosi Johnson - January 9, 2001

Mommy Gail told me almost immediately my mommy had died and I burst into tears.
My mommy Gail took me to my mommy's funeral.
 
I saw my mommy in the coffin and I saw her eyes were closed and then I saw them lowering it into the ground and then they covered her up.
My granny was very sad that her daughter had died.
Then I saw my father for the first time and I never knew I had a father.
He was very upset but I thought to myself, "why did he leave my mother and me?"
And then the other people asked mommy Gail about my sister and who would look after her and then mommy Gail said "ask the father".
Ever since the funeral, I have been missing my mommy lots and I wish she was with me, but I know she is in heaven. And she is on my shoulder watching over me and in my heart.
I hate having Aids because I get very sick and I get very sad when I think of all the other children and babies that are sick with Aids.
I just wish that the government can start giving AZT to pregnant HIV mothers to help stop the virus being passed on to their babies.
Babies are dying very quickly and I know one little abandoned baby who came to stay with us and his name was Micky.
He couldn't breathe, he couldn't eat and he was so sick and mommy Gail had to phone welfare to have him admitted to a hospital and he died.
But he was such a cute little baby and I think the government must start doing it because I don't want babies to die.
Because I was separated from my mother at an early age, because we were both HIV positive, my mommy Gail and I have always wanted to start a care centre for HIV/Aids mothers and their children.
I am very happy and proud to say that the first Nkosi's Haven was opened last year.
And we look after 10 mommies and 15 children.
My mommy Gail and I want to open five Nkosi's Haven by the end of next year because I want more infected mothers to stay together with their children - they mustn't be separated from their children so they can be together and live longer with the love that they need.
When I grow up, I want to lecture to more and more people about Aids - and if mommy Gail will let me, around the whole country.
I want people to understand about Aids - to be careful and respect Aids - you can't get Aids if you touch, hug, kiss, hold hands with someone who is infected.
Care for us and accept us - we are all human beings.
We are normal. We have hands. We have feet.
We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else - don't be afraid of us - we are all the same!

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