©InfoThe last four years have been a difficult and long journey for Skhumbuzo. When he was first diagnosed with HIV, many people made fun of him, called him names and did not want to be associated with him. But thanks to the South African Red Cross' home-based care programmes, his fortune soon changed.
Sthembile, a Red Cross facilitator, helped him come to terms with his status and to start living positively again. She encouraged Skhumbuzo to eat more healthily, and as he grew stronger, her support and encouragement made him want to work with the Red Cross to promote openness and awareness of the disease among other young people.
He says: "They helped me and now I'm helping others."
The South African Red Cross runs eight home-based care programmes for people living with HIV.
The British Red Cross supports two of these in KwaZulu Natal region, the worst affected region in South Africa. The programmes provide simple healthcare and help people help each other.
Dealing with denial
Now that Skhumbuzo is much better, people who once shunned him have started to talk to him again. He says: "Many of them do not believe that I still have the disease, they think it has gone away. I have to explain to them that it never goes away but that I choose to look after myself properly."
Old beliefs still play a big part in the denial about HIV and many seek traditional medicine to try and cure it. Skhumbuzo knows of young people who will not disclose their status for fear of losing their boyfriends or girlfriends.
Find out how Mlondi is coping after his mother died
Find out more about our HIV work