Result

She had come with her mother before. Today she came for her own HIV test result.

The young woman's mother has been deteriorating. The mother's HIV seems to be progressing despite being on anti-retroviral medication. The dear lady's body seems to be slowly shutting down - the kidneys are not functioning and one arm has a severe infection that needs to be drained of pus.

In the midst of this the daughter wanted an HIV test. Was it for fear of having been helping her mother? The deep terror of loving a person with HIV - which can lurk beneath the surface - even in the face of repeated assurances that HIV does not spread by touching / helping...

Or was it a reflection on this young woman's relationships? Already having lost a father - who had not been faithful to her mother. In a home with very little love as her younger brother is physically present but deeply estranged with her mother and her? Was there a young man in whose arms this young woman sought solace?

Whatever the reason for the young woman wanted to be tested was - we maintain the walls of confidentiality even among our staff - she had come for her result.

In the midst of so much decay, our counsellor was able to give a small bit of hope. The young woman's HIV result is negative. She does not have the virus in her body that is eating away at her mother's health.