Poverty is the number one reason why we can’t control the HIV virus in this country. I realized that a lot of other people do not have the support my family gave me. That is why I created the Foundation Esther Bousicault Stanislas (FEBS), in order to provide support to as many individuals living with HIV/AIDS as possible.

My daughters are always present in my mind, they are the youth, and I recognize the power of engaging the next generation. I have suffered so much. I told myself it was not possible to suffer this much and not be able to say out loud that I have HIV.

First, I decided to go on the radio. It was World AIDS Day and a lot of young people were present. They threw things at me, they cursed at me. That hurt me a lot. But after that I decided to go on TV. I made a documentary on my life, a positive account of my story and how I live my life. I removed the veil. I told myself it was unbelievable that no one before me had done that. If someone had, maybe I would not be sick today.

I wanted to give a face to AIDS, because it was not right to suffer so much alone. This is what gives me strength and the reason why today, after twenty years, I am still alive. I adore my two daughters and the support and love that they give me sustains me.