We’ve all had a runny nose and sore throat at one time or other. But imagine dealing with it every day. The lucky ones get back on their feet quickly. But many have to deal with aches and pains on a daily basis. Like young people who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
But stop! Before you let images of sick kids lying in bed alone and helpless swamp you, there are some children who don’t take things lying down despite the fact that they know that HIV/AIDS can make people, especially children, very sick indeed, and could even be fatal.
Meet 14-year-old Susantha who accepted the doctor’s diagnosis that he was HIV-positive quietly. He attended school as usual, determined to do well. He says: “I didn’t feel very bad or afraid about it. I had to accept the situation and took it up as a challenge. I was aware of HIV and AIDS even before I was infected.”
All was well until people got to know. The discrimination was unbearable, but Susantha knew that getting mad wouldn’t help things. So he decided to get even. He loved films and resolved to use them to tell people more about HIV/AIDS. With World Vision, a humanitarian charitable organisation that works with children and families living in poverty, he made two telling films on the issue.
Making Ends Meet is about the available anti-retroviral treatment (ART) options; Hangninglee Thamoisina (‘Questions my heart desires to ask’), about a girl born HIV-positive, is awaiting release.
Susantha believes that people relate best to films and are able to grasp the issue and the situation of people living with HIV/AIDS. Busy with homework and filmmaking, his days are full.
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