Lineo has worked at Shinning Century factory since 2003. She found out she was HIV-positive after falling pregnant. "My husband went for an HIV test and discovered he was positive and he encouraged me to get tested too."

Lineo says she was really scared. She feared for her baby and worried that she would also be infected with the virus. "But my husband was supportive and I went to get tested for our baby's sake. When I found out I was HIV-positive, I joined the ALAFA prevention of mother to child transmission programme."

Lineo's CD 4 count was high at 520 so she was not put on antiretrovirals but was given prophylaxics, iron supplements and multivitamins. She and her husband use condoms now so that they do not reinfect each other.

The doctor advised Lineo to have a Caesarean section as this lessens the chance of passing the virus to the baby. "We were very worried because we knew that the hospitalisation and the operation would be expensive. We did not know how we would afford to pay for it. My husband is a taxi driver and together we have to support our six-year-old daughter, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and two nephews. We also pay for my sister-in-law's school fees so she can complete high school. But the ALAFA programme has been supportive and paid for my monthly medical check-ups, the hospitalisation and the delivery. ALAFA has also paid for milk formula for Thato."

"I am open about my status and I try to tell people that they should also get tested. Some people react badly to me when I talk to them about HIV and lots of people did not believe me when I said I was HIV positive. I have no problem with encouraging people to use the ALAFA VCT (voluntary counselling and testing) services.

"I was so happy when my baby Thato went for the HIV test and was negative! She is a beautiful, healthy girl. I do not have enough words to thank ALAFA."