Born with HIV/AIDS , Nkosi Johnson was abandoned by his desperate infected mother. After he was adopted by his stepmother Gail Johnson, at the age of two he took his firsthand experience and decided to make a difference for those mothers and children infected with Hiv/Aids. Nkosi had the desire and determination to help those less fortunate than himself.
He was fighting to bring joy and rights to those with HIV/AIDS, Nkosi decided to take action and create a haven for those in need. As well as carrying out public speeches, educating others on treating people with HIV/AIDS equally.
Nkosi noticed how many children with Hiv/Aids are not welcome in schools and aren’t the given the same education rights as those with HIV/AIDS. When his mum went to Melpark Primary to register Nkosi at the school she had to fill in a form noting if Nkosi suffered from anything she wrote yes, AIDS. #3 “My mommy Gail and I have always been open about me having AIDS. And then my mommy Gail was waiting to hear if I was admitted to school. Then she phoned the school, who said we will call you and then they had a meeting about me.” They thought of Nkosi having aids as something so big that Nkosi believes that just because you are born with HIV/AIDS should not make you any different. Nkosi spreads the word through speeches sharing and telling his story and many others to those people who need to hear it. #2 ‘"Hi, my name is Nkosi Johnson. I live in Melville, Johannesburg, South Africa. I am 11 years old and I have full-blown AIDS. I was born HIV-positive.”’He believes that the rights of those with and without HIV/AIDS should be the same and that everyone should have the right to an education. Nkosi also believes there is more than just education to fight for, people with HIV/AIDS also need hope and joy.
Nkosi doesn't just want children to have the right to an education but wants to bring hope and joy to those with HIV/AIDS. This is why Nkosi with the help from his stepmother wants to and has set up Haven for mothers and their children with HIV/AIDS. He believes by starting this others will join in too until everyone with HIV/AIDS has somewhere to live and have hope and joy. HIV/AIDS is not contagious through touching or being in the same room as somebody with HIV/AIDS. It is transmitted through blood and sexual transmission. Nkosi explains that if he is cut he has to be careful not to let others with opens wounds touch it incase it gets into theirs. Nkosi explains this is the only way he can give anyone HIV/AIDS at his age and there is nothing to be afraid of. Once the blood is cleared up and he has a plaster on he is perfectly fine.
Nkosi passed away on #1 June the 1st, 2001 after battling death for 5 months. He was the face of HIV/AIDS for kids all around the world. Having helped so many people by creating havens and fighting for their education. Nkosi is a symbol for children all over the world showing you can always have hope no matter what is happening in your life.
1"Nkosi Johnson- The face of Aids." 2009. 1 Nov. 2012
<http://www.beholders.org/spirit/inspirationalpeople/110-nkosijohson.html>
2"Nkosi Johnson speech - Ieterna.org." 1 Nov. 2012
<http://ieterna.org/archive-pdf/nonfiction/autobiography/Nkosi%20speech.pdf>
3 "Nkosi Johnson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2004. 1 Nov. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkosi_Johnson>
