People living with HIV and AIDS in Laos face immense challenges. AIDS peer support groups have not yet begun and hospitals have only just started to train counsellors. New Western medicines are prohibitively expensive and beyond the reach of the vast majority.

Fear, misunderstanding and discrimination are commonplace. While prevention campaigns have begun, little has been done to improve the quality of life for those already living with the virus.

Most Laotian people have never knowingly met someone with HIV or AIDS and still believe that AIDS is only a problem outside of Laos.

Out of fear, Laotian people living with HIV and AIDS rarely reveal their status to even their families and friends. No one infected has ever opened up to the media... until now.

Today, with the goal of spreading a message of hope to their peers and encouraging support within society, Laotian people living with HIV share their inspiring stories for the first time.