Make Your Challenges Be Your Stepping Stones

I was born on the 20th January 1996 in Maun. At the tender age of seven, I was diagnosed with HIV. The tragedy of my diagnosis doubled when my mother passed away the very same year. I started anti-retroviral treatment in November 2003 at a time when HIV/AIDS was still new to Botswana and stigma and discrimination was very high. I later realized that I was the only child in my extended family who was living with HIV. I am forever grateful for the support from my aunt, who regularly took me to my doctor appointments and helped me take my medications twice a day. I would often fall sick and miss school for a few days or even a week. Likewise, going to the hospital for regular check-ups meant missing school since hospitals had different systems of helping those living with HIV back then. Despite these challenges, I kept my head held high and worked hard at school. My academic potential gave me a rare opportunity to rise above humble beginnings. In 2005, my aunt found a job at Okavango Horse Safaris. The company sponsored my education, which led to my enrolment in private school the following year. Since my illness caused me to miss an excessive amount of classes, I had to repeat a grade to compensate for the subjects in which I had fallen behind. But to me this was a blessing, a rare opportunity that comes into one’s life, and thus I embraced it with both hands. While I struggled with some subjects, I found that I was very good with mathematics. With time I caught up with my classmates at Matswane Primary School in Maun. By standard four, I was among the top students my class. I earned awards for my academic and athletic accomplishments. In my PSLE results, I had got an A for overall grade. I not only worked hard in the classroom, but I also excelled as an athlete and represented my new school in netball, hockey, and swimming. Several times, my natural leadership skills gained me selection as a class monitor. When completing my standard seven, my teachers selected me to serve as prefect monitor for the entire school. Living with HIV motivated me to work harder in school and be the living testimony that there is life beyond the virus. I always believe that my challenges served as stepping stones into the future. Currently, I am doing my third year at University of Botswana studying Bachelor of Science general, with a double major in biology/mathematics. I have plans for studying graduate-level medicine and going into research to play a role in trying to find a cure for HIV or cancer.