On the International Day of the African Child (June 16), Elijah Zachary Lemein Simel, a Kenyan boy living with HIV, shared his heartwarming story of how his teacher, Stanley Kyalo, was instrumental to bringing normalcy to his life by helping him cope with the condition and making fellow students embrace him.
RELATED: The Forgotten Children That We Must Remember
Keep Up With Face2Face Africa On Facebook!
Simel, who lives in the residential area of Kasarani in Nairobi, is 11 years old and contracted HIV from his nursing mother who was unaware she had the condition. The brave young man talks gleefully about attending Nyawai Academy school but revealed that it wasn’t always easy for him.
“When I went to school, I was sad, not feeling healthy. Everything was hard,” said Simel.
Simel started HIV medication and his health was restored, but what was also replenished was his connection to the man he calls “Teacher Stanley.”
Seeing that Simel was struggling in class, Kyalo asked him what was wrong, and according to the teacher, they had an honest conversation “as friends,” with Simel explaining that he is HIV positive.
“Teacher Stanley is really fun. Me and Teacher Stanley, we are best friends,” added Simel.
It was then that Simel asked Kyalo if it was possible for him to learn about his condition in class.
Kyalo, who joined the academy in 2013, decided to reveal Simel’s status to the class and reminded them that Simel is still a normal boy. Effectively easing the students’ fears, Kyalo said the students took in Simel as one of their own and began to play with him like all the other children.
“I think the people they are afraid of HIV, but I am here to tell them not to be afraid. It’s not that bad,” said Simel.
Watch Elijah Zachary Lemein Simel’s story here:
SEE ALSO: Poem: The Seedling’s Progress
_____________________________________
Face2face Africa invites you to join us for our annual Pan-African Weekend July 25-27 in NYC, honoring Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Alek Wek, Femi Kuti, Masai Ujiri, Bethlehem Alemu, and Dr. Oheneba Bochie-Adjei. Click here for more details and register to attend.
A 17-year-old migrant from Sudan, Abdul Usman, has attempted to cross the Channel from France…
Tatiyana, Danyelle LaShay, and Jyniah Smith -- the Smith sisters -- are some of the…
It's a full circle moment for mom Tangenicka "Tange" Williams and her daughter Chyna set…
Fat Joe is widely known for hits like Lean Back, All the Way Up, and…
Get to know Jordan Taylor; he is the founder of Vizcom, a software company that…
38-year-old Tanice Spence-Clarke was arrested and charged with child neglect without physical harm after police…
Janet Jackson might have wielded superpowers alongside Marvel's iconic heroes. But, it was Halle Berry…
A North Carolina mother wants a middle school teacher to be terminated after he allegedly…
In a recent interview with PEOPLE ahead of the release of her Curse You With…
Authorities in the United Kingdom have ordered the Jamaican government to pay the legal bills…
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has said that his little brother was subjected to racial abuse,…
Reggie Bush has regained his place as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner after over a…
Since 2012, actor Nick Cannon has openly shared his struggle with lupus to support others…
Former USC superstar Caleb Williams has been drafted by the Chicago Bears as the No.…
Stephen A. Smith is an ESPN analyst. People widely regard him as the face of…