When Kevin was 14, he thought he understood himself pretty well. He knew the things he liked: football, math, good music – and the things he didn’t: long queues, poor WiFi connectivity and waking up early. What he didn’t know was that a single conversation would change how he saw himself forever.
Kevin was born with HIV. His mother had always taken him for checkups and medication but he had never really understood why. One afternoon, during a routine hospital visit, a counsellor explained it to him. For a moment, the world went silent. The words felt too heavy, too big.
His first reaction was denial. “Not me. I’m just a normal kid.”
Then came anger. “Why wasn’t I told earlier?”
Later, worry. “What will my friends say? Will I ever date? Will I live long enough to achieve my dreams?”
These questions sat with him for weeks. He stopped talking much. He skipped meals. He lost the excitement for school, life felt different. But slowly, through clear and honest conversations with his doctor, encouragement from his aunt and support from a youth peer group, Kevin started to understand something important: HIV does not define him. It never did.
The more he learned, the more he grew. He discovered that taking his medication consistently kept his viral load low. He realized that regular clinic visits were not a punishment but protection. He started exercising, eating better and paying attention to his health, not because he was sick but because he wanted a long, full life.
At 17, Kevin is thriving. He plays football. He is full of life. He dreams of becoming a graphic designer and gamer. Most importantly, he has accepted himself, not as “the boy with HIV,” but as a teenager with a future, purpose and potential like anyone else.
Kevin now shares his story with other young people who feel scared or confused about HIV. He reminds them that a person living with HIV can live a normal life, like everyone else.
His message is simple:
“You’re not alone and you’re allowed to dream big.”
As we reflect on World AIDS Day, Kevin’s journey reminds us that knowledge, compassion and support transform the HIV response. To every young person reading this: stay safe, protect yourself, ask questions, get tested and seek help from trusted professionals. Your health, your choices and your dreams are worth it.