At the AIDS 2024 conference, I had the honor of meeting an incredibly strong and brave young lady, Juliana, from South Africa. She approached me and asked if I could take her photo after seeing my documentary photographs exhibited at the conference. I explained to Juliana that my images were portraits of people living and thriving with HIV. She then revealed that she is HIV positive and was with her research team, who has been studying treatments for children living with HIV since she was a small child. She expressed her desire for me to take her photo for my documentary.

Juliana’s journey began when doctors discovered she had contracted HIV at the tender age of four weeks. Growing up in various children’s homes, she never knew her parents. Other children often questioned why she had to take medicine. Initially, she believed the germ story told by her doctors—that the medicine would kill the germs was comfortable with sharing that explanation.

However, at the age of 13, a care worker in the children’s home informed her that she had HIV. This revelation caused her immense fear, anger, and many questions about her life. Upon returning to her doctors, she sought more information about her HIV status, which she received from both her doctors and social workers.

When I asked Juliana about her knowledge of HIV back then, she mentioned that their education was inadequate. Teachers often portrayed people living with HIV as dangerous, leading her to fear for her life. Her acceptance of her status coincided with her acceptance of God into her life. In a group setting at the children’s home, a little girl once expressed a desire to be like Juliana because she was a netball player, the captain of her team, head girl at her school, and a leader at the children’s home.

Juliana bravely disclosed her HIV status to a group of children, stating that it did not change who she was or who she could become. She emphasized that she has dreams just like everyone else and the only difference is that she must take one tablet a day to remain undetectable. “I can love like anyone else, live my life, and be happy,” she declared.

Juliana now has a boyfriend who knows about her status and accepts her as she is, which has made her feel truly special. Julianna is currently studying to be a professional hairstylist, specifically one who works with children, as she knows many hairstylists lack patience with young clients. Juliana is confident in her patience and her ability to excel in this profession.