Living with HIV – Naledi’s Story

In South Africa, there are over six million cases of HIV, making it the country with the biggest HIV epidemic in the world.

Naledi Kopane is one of these six million. Living in Bloemfontein, Naledi was diagnosed with HIV when she was only four years old at a time where there was no treatment: A HIV diagnosis meant that death was inevitable.

Her childhood was one filled with discrimination and exclusion on account of her condition and making a difficult situation even harder for her growing up.

Though she was able to endure these challenges, Naledi’s kidneys failed in her late teenage years and she slipped into a coma for 5 months.

Despite all of these challenges, Naledi is now 22 years of age – longer than anyone expected her to live – and now simply takes each day as it comes.

Thanks in part to the support offered to her by Sunflower Children’s Hospice – where Naledi now volunteers – she has been able to pull through any situation that has brought her down.

Though she spends three mornings a week on dialysis, Naledi easily gets through it thanks to her current goal: Writing a book about her life and experiences, to inspire anyone going through similar difficulties and situations.

Having been put through so much and keeping strong is a sign of an incredible person, and for Naledi, nothing shows her incredible inner strength than her own words:

“God gave us a life to live, no matter which storms you go through, no matter which challenges you have to face every single day. Living life means to me that you have to appreciate every single little moment that you have.”

Please consider supporting the important work of the International Children’s Palliative Care Network by making a donation here…

Featuring:
– Naledi Kapone
– Joan Marston
– Dr Hanneke Brits Maria Taole
– Olga Molahloe