Catherine Lyempe, a 30-year-old nurse, has shared her emotional journey of living with HIV. After discovering her status in 2018, she faced stigma and rejection, including from her boyfriend, who left her when the US government announced it would halt HIV funding to Africa through USAID.
Catherine’s story is one of resilience. Despite facing discrimination in nursing school and job opportunities, she continues to speak out, hoping to educate and comfort others living with HIV. Her decision to go public was inspired by the young mothers and children she met at the hospital.
“I see babies born with HIV, teenagers who don’t understand what’s happening to them, and mothers who feel hopeless,” she said. “That’s why I share my story, to educate, to comfort, to show them they are not alone.”
Catherine’s courage in sharing her story aims to raise awareness and promote understanding about HIV, inspiring others to do the same.
