Once I started on ARV treatment, I didn't work. I stayed at home for three years. I was afraid people would find out my status, and my parents were worried for me. At the time I had two dogs for company – Mimi and Toi Foi – and they became my close companions.

After meeting another HIV-positive person I was invited to an assembly for a PHA (people living with HIV/Aids) group called TNP+. They asked if I wanted to work with them and I agreed. When I returned home that day, I found one of my dogs had died. My grandmother said to me, "That dog has died so that you can be reborn." [©Ton/MSF]