By Steve Umidha
It has been a long and trying journey for Dorcas Kawira who was born with HIV positive 22 years ago. When she was six years old, her parents succumbed to Aids-related complications and left her under the care of her uncle, James Laibon, who also died later on.
Losing close family members was painful, but what she found heartbreaking was the discrimination by her peers.
Dorcas Kawira was born with HIV/Aids and after going through a difficult time, she came out to speak about challenges facing people like her. [Photo: Courtesy]
Kawira, a Third Year Law student at Moi University, Eldoret, says what has kept her going despite her health is her determination not to give up.
"Education and appealing to my inner peace have helped me deal some of the scary information I get about HIV," Kawira says, encouraging those under similar circumstances not to give up.
Inner peace
It was not easy for her, however, to find inner peace, and speak of her HIV status.
"I have never lived a day without HIV. If I had a wish it would be to reverse the situation. Nevertheless, I thank God for having brought me this far. I am certain that many in my shoes have not made it."
Kawira learnt early enough that happiness or being at peace with oneself depended on oneâs mindset.
"You have got to grab a hold of yourself and come to a place where you are happy with whom you are by doing all the right things to reduce stress," says Kawira.
Opening up about herself is in the hope that another person doesnât go through school under so much stress as she did.
