My sister was also sick. Every time she came to visit me, I could see that she had lost weight. Her health was deteriorating. I wanted to help her but I was too weak.

One day, I was lying in bed and my grandmother came into the room. She told me that my sister had just passed away.

I don't know what she died of. I felt sad and lonely.

I didn't go to her funeral because I was too sick. I stayed at home alone and waited for my grandmother to return.

Last year, a lot of people in my village and in the surrounding area died of Aids. That was the worst time of my life.

I kept thinking that if my health improved I would be able to go back to school. This gave me hope. [© Brendan Bannon/MSF]