"My reason for wanting to participate in this programme is purely out of my love of reading. Mostly, the kind of books I read are usually about other peoples lives, their worlds, their ins and outs through the eyes of writers. I believe my fascination with books began soon after finishing high school, reading my fathers smelly book collection he kept near his bedside. My dad and I have never had a close relationship but I was always comforted by the one common thing we shared - we both loved reading. Now that I'm a working girl I'm putting together my own collection so that one day it will be shared with my kids.

But it was not too long ago that I found myself inspired, by the authors of books I read, and I wanted to tell my own life story. This urge came about when I confirmed my worst nightmare and came face to face with being diagnosed with the HIVirus in September 2002. As tough as it was for me during the pre and post diagnosis stages I found comfort and some amount of healing through putting my thoughts down on paper. I remember some nights I would write sobbing with streams of tears flowing down my cheeks. This journaling started off a few days before I could go for my HIV test and continues ever since.

I work for a youth development organisation in Pietermaritzburg and I still find it even harder to allow people I work with to know about my status as I fear they might still hold uneasiness in learning about my situation and their own status. So really in all essence I'm quite passionate about telling my story to those people that can benefit from it. And as I share my own experiences as a 24-year-old I feel when we start engaging at peer level, there lies an opportunity to critically visit the problems and issues of our culture, gender equality (in relationship of HIV+ people) and in general. Issues 'like what is a trusted partner' and is this term relevant for HIV+ people who still want to pursue a full life, perceptions of myths and misconceptions that still surround in relation to HIV/AIDS.

In summary I truly believe in the overall knowledge that people have around such issues but there is just not enough meaningful talk going on and I believe it's about time we got to it.

In the beginning I never thought that this process would prove this enriching... I have grown personally and I feel stronger to tell my story.

I believe my vision has not changed, I still want to allow readers to enter my HIV world and hopefully through them my piece would contribute to making a difference. It is still therapeutic for me, although sometimes I am lazy and pressed from time to write. But now and then I work on writing and putting my thoughts on paper.

Having a great relationship with my mentor has helped us get along very well. Her ability to assist me, made me realise that I had the potential to do more, her support in helping me meet my deadlines and her making me feel more valuable and important (equally) part of the process made me look forward to completing the piece. Although I found editing my piece and the possibility of cutting out stuff that is important and relevant in my story very frustrating.

I found the constant feedback from my mentor and facilitator was quite moving and constructive and this allowed me to explore other forms of expressions.

I think the programme has advanced womens issues because women now have a platform to speak about (my) our issues and allow other women insight / voice to such issues.