Albertina

"It was the head teacher of the school where I taught who I first told about my HIV," teacher Albertina Nyatsi, 28, recalled. "Two weeks later, he told me not to come back. He didn't use HIV as the excuse. He didn't give any reason. I went to the Ministry of Education. I was their employee, and not the employee of any particular school or head teacher. But they reassigned me to another school."

Albertina Nyatsi is an activist living with HIV who was tested and diagnosed after having been diagnosed with Tuberculosis. She is trained as a school teacher, and is now using her life to educate and train others about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, especially as they pertain to women, as well as to demonstrate that it is possible to live openly and well with HIV/AIDS. She has worked directly with communities through groups such as the Swaziland AIDS Support Group and Positive Women Together. She has been quoted in the media numerous times, participated in the SAfAIDS Strengthening Community Capacities in Prevention, Care, Support and Treatment of HIV and AIDS program, and provided testimony at the launching of the Swaziland Stop TB partnership, among other activities. She currently works with the Swaziland National Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS.