16-year-old Mark who is living with HIV has been receiving his medications from Alive Medical Services for the past four years, starting when he was 12 years old. When Mark was only 4 years old, both of his parents passed away from AIDS, leaving his grandma to raise him. 

“I have been taking my medications to make me better and I have to take them every day to make sure I do not get sick. I just occasionally have a headache or a cold; I don't get sick too often. I am also capable of participating in all the activities my peers undertake, including playing football and participating in certain theatre projects.” 

As a teenager, Mark has learned to keep it a secret to himself at school by remaining active so that he is not forced to tell his peers about his medical condition. He has been taking his medicine faithfully, as evidenced by the viral load testing performed every six months. He is virally suppressed and he is undetectable. 

"I am blessed to have supportive family members, like my grandmother and aunt, who always give me reminders of who I am and who I can be in the world and they constantly motivate me to realize my full potential. By the way, I play soccer well, and I want to use that gift to achieve more.” 

Mark is enthusiastic about the future and does not see HIV as a barrier to his life goals. He aspires to be a pharmacist and believes he should serve as an example of how to use medication correctly. 

“At Alive Medical Services, I like all the nurses and doctors there, they give me medication free of charge, they understand me as a young teenager, and push me to my life goals. As a young teenager who is looking into getting a family someday, I am educated about sexual reproductive health and having a safe relationship when that time comes. I am not really in a rush to have a family; I desire to do it the right way and at the right time.” 

“I want to show young people living with HIV that we should put HIV aside and concentrate on the next steps of life. We are not any different from anyone else we live around.” 

As a young man growing into a young adult and living with HIV, Mark has had challenges as well and it hasn’t been a perfect ride. But today, because of the kindness of donors and supporters like you, Mark is getting the medical care, food, and emotional support he needs to flourish as he pursues his aspirations. Alive Medical Services works in over 30 districts around the country and strives to be there for young people living with HIV just like Mark, offering prevention, comprehensive care, treatment and support while helping educate them along with their families to keep supporting them. The facility is creating a world in which children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS can live healthy and free. Just like Mark, they can live positively and productively without any fear of any forms of stigma and discrimination.