Keep a Child Alive

Day 6 - Meet Nicol: Blue Roof Wellness Centre

Nicol grew up in Durban, South Africa, where she was first introduced to HIV nine years ago, when her aunt revealed her HIV positive status to her family. Nicol’s aunt was very sick when she finally disclosed her status, and she died shortly after. Nicol then began noticing similar symptoms in her older brother. He was incredibly weak when she finally convinced him to take an HIV test. He tested positive, and the doctors told him he only had two months left to live. At the time, it was impossible for Nicol’s brother to access the ARV therapy he needed most urgently. Nicol learned from the strength of her brother, who, even in his final days, responded to the concerns of people in the community with confidence: “Yes, I’m sick. I contracted HIV. I’m HIV positive.”

Five years ago, Nicol became very ill herself. She chose to go to the Blue Roof Wellness Centre in Wentworth, Durban to get tested for HIV, seeing it as a positive alternative to the stark hospital settings. Having become well acquainted with the symptoms of the disease over the years, she was not shocked to learn her HIV positive status. What shocked her most was when she approached the man she knew she had contracted the disease from. He was engaged at the time, and wanted nothing to do with her, also refusing to inform his family. Nicol adopted a healthier lifestyle to keep the disease under control, and most of her friendships dissipated when she stopped drinking. Her mother, Veronica, is the only member of her family who has stuck by Nicol through everything. Veronica has lived through the premature deaths of three children, and Nicol is her sole surviving child today. “I believe that people should never give up on their children and their families who have HIV,” Veronica says. “I consider myself one of the most privileged mothers walking here. If God wants me to do his work on Earth, to care for the sick and disabled, so be it. Then when I get to heaven, I’ll have no work left to do.”

Nicol began her ARV therapy at the Blue Roof in January 2009.  Several months after she started treatment, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, a common development for women living with HIV.  With the support of home based care and counseling services at the Blue Roof, Nicol has been brought back to health again, and she says now that she feels healthier than she has ever been.  Despite all her hardship, Nicol’s experience as a Blue Roof patient keeps her optimistic.

With renewed health, Nicol is proud to share her testimony with other people living with HIV, and is working to develop a patient support group at the Blue Roof.  Nicol’s mother, Veronica, currently works as a cook for the Blue Roof, preparing nutritious daily meals for patients who come to the clinic for treatment and care.

“God has a plan for me,” Nicol says. “He’s not letting me go anywhere. He is putting me through all these tests because he wants me to come out and be a better person. I want to let people know about HIV. I want to be successful in life with this HIV and cancer and let people know that it is not the end of the world. Yes, I can achieve.”

Nicol, a KCA grantee in South Africa and her story is another reason why we do what we do at Keep a Child Alive. Text BUYLIFE to 90999 to give $10 to help us continue these daily inspirational stories of hope, love and strength.

See all of our Daily Inspirations.