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Aster Beyene, 21, "I knew the risk I was taking, but my family had to eat"
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April 2007 (PlusNews)
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ADDIS ABABA, By day, Aster Beyene [not her real name], 21, is a saleslady at a boutique in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa; by night she attends computer school. After losing her mother and older brother to AIDS-related illnesses, Beyene has been left with the responsibility of feeding and clothing her remaining siblings.
"Even though I am the last born, I have experienced the struggle for survival first hand, and I vowed to rescue my family from the pit of poverty that seemed to get worse as the days went by.
"A middle-aged guy who lived next door had always had his eye on me, but I never considered going out with him before the problems at home. I pushed all the frightening thoughts aside and opted to have a relationship with him; in return, he offered to give me money, including my tuition for night school.
 There is no time to lament my lost childhood or the future I might never be able to witness. | "Despite repeated warnings from people in my community that he was infected with the HI virus, I continued having sexual relations with him without protection. I was aware of what was at stake, but my family relied on me to provide for them and I felt I had no other option.
"I recently found out that I am HIV positive, but what still worries me most is what I will put on the table for my family. My mother passed away last month and there are still five mouths to feed; two of my brothers are also living with HIV. There is no time to lament my lost childhood or the future I might never be able to witness.
"To this day I have a sexual relationship with the man who infected me with the virus. I am also aware that he has another woman in his life."
rm/kr/he
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[ENDS]
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[The above testimony is provided by IRIN, a humanitarian
news service, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.]
IRIN welcomes editorial and photographic submissions for inclusion on this page,
reserving the right to select and edit as appropriate.
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