January 2023

My PEPFAR Story

Overcoming Stigma, Becoming a Mother, Encouraging the Next Generation

As the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) on January 28th, a program that has saved the lives of millions of children, youth, and families globally, I am reminded of the impact PEPFAR has had on my own life. Seven years ago, PEPFAR, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the fight for an AIDS-free generation were the furthest things from my mind.

When I was 18, I tested positive for HIV. I was surprised by the lack of support I received—even at health facilities. I remember my doctor clearly saying, “You are going to get AIDS and die.” Unfortunately, in my home country of Lesotho, HIV is the leading cause of death. After I tested positive, I felt ashamed and alone, believing that my dreams for a family of my own would never be realized.

But while the negative feelings I felt about my HIV status in that moment nearly defeated me, I was connected to PEPFAR-funded experts at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation who made sure I was enrolled in treatment and connected to other young women like myself who were navigating the world as someone living with HIV. The support I experienced lifted me out of my depression and I was encouraged to know that many of women living with HIV I met were able to stay healthy and have babies of their own who were HIV-free.

Overtime, because of the medical and psychosocial support I received, I was able to achieve viral suppression and finally realize my dreams of motherhood by giving birth to a beautiful, HIV-free baby girl.

My story is not a unique one

Dee Mphafi and speakers at 2022 World AIDS Day event hosted by PEPFAR and BCIU

My story is not a unique one. Because of PEPFAR, over 5.5 million cases of new pediatric AIDS infections have been averted and more than 20 million people have received life-changing care since the program’s founding 20 years ago.

Today, I work to give back to other young women in Lesotho who are impacted by HIV and AIDS. As a Senior Youth Ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, I help empower the next generation of adolescent girls to access HIV services and develop life skills to stay healthy and strong. In each interaction with these girls and young women, I emphasize the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and take strides to remove the shame and stigma associated with HIV. For those who do test HIV positive, I provide psychosocial support by connecting them to peer support groups which establish strong bonds of true friendship and eliminate feelings of stigma and shame.

“HIV doesn’t define me, nor does it end my dreams for a prosperous future.”

HIV doesn’t define me, nor does it end my dreams for a prosperous future. Both my daughter and I represent that achieving an end to pediatric AIDS is possible. But while it has helped make great strides in to end HIV and AIDS in more than 50 countries around the world, we must continue working together and prioritize financial and political investment in programs like PEPFAR. Only by doing so will we finally realize an AIDS-free generation once and for all.