The lead story in Saturday's STAR was quite heart-wrenching.

The story shared the tale of one woman's struggle with HIV, the discrimination her family faces at school and the community and the sub standard conditions in which she is forced to live. According to the story, the woman has no proper sanitary conveniences and is often forced to relieve herself outdoors.

What was also disturbing was that she once used a neighbour's bathroom but had to stop because of what she described as inappropriate behaviour. Though she admitted that she had received help from various agencies and some kind individuals, it is clear that she is still in need of more. No human being should be forced to suffer the indignity of taking a bath almost in view of neighbours, and no one should have to shield their boy with sheets of plastic.

Perhaps the most disturbing element of this story, however, is the fact that this woman and her children have been the brunt of jokes and scorn in their community. This has become so bad, in fact, that one of her children has opted not to return to school just in an attempt to escape the stares and pointing.

It is sad to know that even though we proclaim to be progressing in terms of how we treat persons living with HIV, we really have not made it very far. The fact that this woman and her children are unable to live in peace is clear proof of that.