I am not sure that I would love to go back ten years ago. For so many reasons, I am glad with the progress in HIV treatment, but still not glad with how much remains to be done.

Ten years ago, at a time almost like this, I was starting my antiretroviral journey; and for the most part of it, it was the start of the toughest and most confusing journey for me. Being a child then, I spent most of my time worrying about what this journey meant to my future and how it would affect who I was going to be, instead of living the life of a child who lives without even being aware of her surroundings.

The worry of whether I was cut out for marriage, the fear of even making it past 15 years old, the mysteries of side effects of the medication and all it brought along—it was all very overwhelming. Plus, antiretrovirals were not so good at that time, and the programs at the HIV facilities to offer the much-needed support to an adolescent like me, were very poor. This left me feeling like I was on my own, trying by all means to figure out what living with HIV for the rest of my life meant.

"...It was the start of the toughest and most confusing journey for me."

Just recently, we marked World AIDS Day and it got me thinking a lot about what my journey with HIV has been like, and also the journey of the HIV response all over the world, especially in my country Kenya. Although we are not where we would love to be, I am glad that we have made visible strides over the years.

I am glad that whenever I walk into my facility for my refill, I am assured to see clinicians with warm faces who have embraced us. I am also certain I will find my medication without any struggle at all, medication that allows HIV to be undetectable, meaning it not only improves my overall health, but that I don’t have to worry about passing the virus to others. And I know, once a month, I will meet my fellow young people from my HIV facility and we will share a meal as we try and solve our treatment struggles together.

My point is, over the years, in terms of antiretroviral treatment, we have seen major improvements in the pills themselves. When I think back to the drugs that I was taking even six years ago, the side effects were very overwhelming, and the color, the pill burden- it was quite a lot to handle, and even made adherence hard. But now I am on much better drugs, with mild side effects that I don't even experience anymore.

"Although we are not where we would love to be, I am glad that we have made visible strides over the years."

In terms of other challenges that no longer exist, in our spaces we say that HIV is no longer a death sentence. You get it, you get support, you start treatment, and step by step you figure out everything else with the support of warm clinicians and even friends or family, since people are embracing us also. Stigma and discrimination have also majorly reduced. I wouldn't say it's over, but at least someone can actually greet you while knowing you’re positive without any fear.

I wouldn't say we are there yet. A lot needs to be done. But I am glad we have moved from the worst days for any person who is positive, to days where we move and live regardless of what people think about us. I personally appreciate the fact that I am always contributing to the change I want to see in the HIV response, whether it be treatment, programming or providing care and support to young people living with HIV in my country.

I am glad to be marking ten tough and not-so-tough years on antiretrovirals, and I am glad to be part of the many young people living with HIV at this age, and meaningfully sharing our beautiful stories to impact lives. We have made progress, but a lot more needs to be done. I am not expecting immediate change, but I do expect even better progress in the future. So far, so good.