HIV-positive Waree was once told she might not live to see her 18th birthday. But with her health improving, the love of her grandmother, and the support of World Vision, she is living like any normal girl.

In her family Waree was neither the first nor the last one to be diagnosed of AIDS. The infection started from Waree’s mother and spread to the rest of the family. When she found out that she had AIDS Waree’s mother had already been 3 months pregnant with Kaew, Waree’s younger sister.

“It was very depressing at first. I tried to think of it as her karma. I looked after her as much as I could. Waree was just 5 then. She didn’t understand much. She only knew that her mother was sick,” recounts Preeda, Waree’s grandmother.

Waree’s mother died one year after giving birth to Kaew, Waree’s younger sister, who was also born HIV Positive.

Unlike her younger sister, no one was aware of Waree’s infection until AIDS had spread all over her body.

“Her skin was inflamed and swollen. I didn’t know it was AIDS. I thought it was Saint Anthony’s fire,” says Preeda, Waree’s grandmother who later took her eldest granddaughter to the hospital.

“It was such a blow when the doctor said that she might die before 18.”

That year, Waree had to drop out of school to convalesce. Fortunately, because of her young age, she responded well to the medication and finally returned to school after a year break. At school only a few teachers knew about Waree’s condition.

“In the community, it’s okay but at school sometimes children can be cruel. I just wanted her to live like a normal kid.”

This brief moment of relief was followed by one more tragedy - Waree's father also died from AIDS-related causes.

“It could have been a lot worse if the girls hadn’t been World Vision sponsored children. When their dad died we hit rock bottom but I told myself that now there’s only me to take care of the girls.”

Through additional assistance from World Vision’s Jatujak ADP, Preeda was able to take her granddaughters to the hospital every week to receive treatment as well as sending them to school.

Nowadays, things are finally looking up for the family as Kaew’s infection has miraculously disappeared and Waree’s condition keeps improving.

“My parents died because they didn’t know they had AIDS. My sister and I were luckier. With the drugs today, I’ll also live longer than 18. I’ll become a doctor when I grow up to help other people who have AIDS,” said the 12-year-old girl proudly.

Waree's name has been changed and her face hidden for child protection reasons