KIDS ON ART ANGRY AT PARENTS

MANZINI – Some children who are on HIV/AIDS medication have made it known that they had a lot of resentment towards their parents due to various reasons.

Some hold their parents responsible for infecting them with the virus while others feel betrayed for not being told that the medication, antiretroviral treatment (ART) was actually for HIV/AIDS.  A majority have made it known that they were no longer willing to continue taking the medication.

Most of the children disclosed that finding out that they had to take HIV/AIDS medication for the rest of their lives was the most difficult thing to accept. They said they also wished they could die because they did not understand what they lived for.
However, they said through the Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) Teen Clubs, they have realised that life had to go on and that their future was still bright despite their HIV+ status.

As they shared their experiences, the children, most of whom were infected at birth, could not hide their bitterness towards their parents, especially mothers. Some of them said they were made to take the medication without even knowing what it was for.
*Sizwe, an 11-year-old, said he was tired of taking the medication. He said there were times where he refused to take it completely.  During this time, he said he would pretend to be taking the medication then disappear to spit it out.

“I did this for quite a long time because I did not understand why I was the only one taking the medication in the family,” said *Sizwe.
He said going to FLAS had somehow helped him cope as he now knew why he was taking the medication, something his mother failed to explain to him.

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