Matiisetso is 32, her husband died of Aids 2 years ago and she has never managed to find work (there is much unemployment in Lesotho). Despite her illness she does voluntary work at schools and churches to "inform youngsters about HIV and to teach them how to protect themselves. I want very much to help the young people. I want to walk with them." Matiisetso lives off a very small disability grant with which she supports herself, her mother and her 2 children. She started to take ARV Drugs funded by AA in July 2003. At this time her CD4 count was 65 - by January 2005 this had risen to 347 - a fantastic jump. At this time she was reported by her Doctor to be "gaining weight and looking so much healthier and stronger". At the same time Matiisetso told us " I no longer feel tired or get sick anymore. People respond well to that and no longer push me aside. I now feel confident enough to tell the people in my community about the strength of these pills. I am so grateful to receive this help." In January 2006 Matiisetso's CD4 count was 490.
Tumisang is a 21 year old student from Maseru, Lesotho. He started to take ARV Drugs funded by AA in June 2003. At this time his CD4 count was a very low 11 and he was suffering numerous HIV related infections plus a severe eye infection which damaged his sight. By February 2005 Tumisang's CD4 count is up to 344, his health is described as "well". "I have gained a lot of weight, my vision is so improved that I can again get around on my own. I am no longer having frequent illnesses and am feeling so much better. In May 2006 he told us "With my new strength I have been able to form a new relationship, return to my studies and have also started counselling patients as an EPT (an Expert Patient Therapist in Dr Ramatlapeng's clinic) about the benefits of this wonderful medication."
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