My friend killed himself because of HIV stigma

Life is precious; it's too bad those deprived of it know the feeling. I remember how we used to be, friends for years, secrets untamed, till the sad day came. My friend was infected with the virus. The disease that people say came from man's affair with an ape.

Everyone suddenly stopped associating with him fearing he would infect them with the virus. He became a lonely man and depressed too. He saw himself as an alien in this planet and decided to take away his own life. He thought going back to his creator would give him peace.

I believe my friend would still be alive up to now if only we could have shown him love and care.

Having HIV does not mean it is the end of life but merely a mistake to learn from.

It is never too late to stop the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

HIV exists and there are people living with it but as long as they breathe the air we do, we have no choice but to treat them well. I am not a rebel am only being human.