Living with HIV is not the end of life. In fact, if managed positively, it can become the beginning of a more meaningful and fulfilling journey.
We all have only one life to live, and regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we should strive to make the most of it.
Difficult situations will always arise, but they should never define us. Instead, they should inspire us to discover our strength and resilience.
My family and I have lived with HIV for more than 30 years.
Throughout my entire career as a teacher, I lived with the virus, and today I am happily retired and still enjoying life.
My wife, Sarudzai, and our 32-year-old daughter have also lived with HIV for almost as long.
They are comfortable with me speaking publicly about our status, and we are not ashamed of sharing our story wherever we go.
I must openly admit that I was responsible for bringing HIV into our home.
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My wife contracted the virus through me, and our daughter was born HIV-positive.
Over the years, I sincerely apologised to both of them, and I am grateful that they forgave me.
Today, we remain a happy and united family. Those who know us can testify to the love and peace that exist in our home.
I continue to write and speak about HIV because I believe the story of living with the virus is best told by those who have experienced it firsthand.
People need to hear from someone who understands the fears, challenges and emotions that come with a positive diagnosis. My story is one of resilience, hope and survival.
There is life after testing positive. In many ways, it can even become more fulfilling than life before the diagnosis.
Life teaches us to appreciate everything that comes our way.
I believe God loves us at all times and sometimes allows us to face difficult circumstances that strengthen our faith and character.
What matters most is how we respond to those challenges.
Like many others, I went through fear, shame and denial after learning my status.
Eventually, I accepted reality and began looking for ways to live positively with HIV.
I realised that dwelling on the past would not change anything. Instead, I focused on making the most of the life ahead of me.
Recognising my mistakes, I committed myself to becoming a better person.
I embraced repentance, obedience to God and a desire to help others avoid the mistakes that had led me down a painful path.
One of my first priorities was repairing my marriage and strengthening my family, because little can be achieved when family relationships are broken.
Accepting reality does not mean ignoring our shortcomings.
Rather, it means confronting them honestly and choosing understanding, forgiveness and growth.
The first step was disclosing my status to my wife and allowing her to make an informed decision about our future.
When she chose to forgive me and continue our journey together, I thanked God for His mercy.
Today, as an elderly couple, we understand the value of companionship and mutual support. We make every effort to enjoy life together and cherish each day we are given.
When our children were young, we never imagined we would live long enough to see grandchildren.
Yet today, we are blessed with five grandchildren — four boys and one girl.
This is a reminder that God can do remarkable things when we remain faithful and patient. We pray regularly and attend church every Saturday, which gives our lives purpose and meaning.
People living with HIV should resist negative thoughts and refuse to be defined by society’s judgments.
Focus on what is good, remain hopeful and continue living your life like everyone else.
We must also confront stigma and discrimination by speaking openly about our status.
As long as people continue hiding in fear, stigma will remain.
In my book, The Extra Time, I document my life before HIV, the challenges I faced, and the peace and purpose I have found through faith. I encourage others to leave destructive habits behind and embrace a new life guided by God.
HIV changed the way I see the world. While I would never have chosen this journey, it taught me lessons that transformed my life for the better. It helped me turn my scars into stars.
Living well with HIV is a choice. Let us learn to embrace both the good and the bad with courage and dignity.
Let us remember that today’s pleasure can become tomorrow’s pain, and that every challenge can become an opportunity for growth.
For those living with HIV, there is hope. There is purpose. And above all, there is life.
