WINDHOEK –(New Era)-11 November 2009-A very courageous student, Idhidhimika Victoria Noa, brought proceedings to a hush when she divulged, to a huge audience during the IOL graduation ceremony, that she has been living with AIDS for nearly six years.

Audience members listened attentively as she told her story in the third person as follows:

“There is one lady who is living with HIV. Her name is Victoria Noa. She is from Onayena, Oshikoto Region. She passed her Grade 10 through Namcol. Because of a lack of support, she could not proceed to Grade 11 because no one was willing to pay her school fees.

”She was strong and decided that even though she is HIV positive she would not give up in life.

“In 2003 she decided to disclose her HIV status to the public after she received support from friends and some family members. Through this disclosure she put up a winning fight and today she is graduating together with other students who are negative and those who do not know their status.

“The reason why I decided to share this story with you is just to encourage Namibian men and women, boys and girls.

“There is hope after being tested HIV positive. Those who are negative, stay negative and support us who are positive.

“I thank you,” she said to tumultuous applause before receiving her Office Management Certificate.

Online at: http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=8131