Real life stories

"A number of us live life because life is life and we have to live. But let’s live life because we have future dreams, let’s live life based on a mission and a vision of living. As young people we are the ones to contribute to the development of our countries … I’m proud of who I am and what I am doing with my HIV status. So I will make sure I will live my life to the fullest. Comfort comes after struggle, so let’s hold hands and fight against this epidemic. We can make it." Nelao, 21, Namibia

© UNICEF/HQ00-0316/Lemoyne

Spreading awareness on HIV and AIDS through theatre in their community in Tanzania. In this segment, a mother cries for her daughter who has just died of AIDS.

Young people are crucial to stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. More than half of the people newly infected with HIV today are between 15 and 24 years old. But the good news is that, given the necessary information, young people seem to be more likely than adults to change their behaviour in order to protect themselves and others.

What's more, young people are in the best position to get the message across to others in their age-group. After all, young people know what it is like to be young in today's world.

These pages contain stories about how young people are taking the lead and making a difference in terms of HIV and AIDS around the world.