I was born in Kinshasa in 1952. I gave birth to my first son in 1970. After his birth I continued with my studies and then went to university where I studied law for two years. After finishing I worked at Radio Television Nationale Congolaise as a television presenter. I travelled a lot, around Europe, to Kenya, Zambia and Congo Brazzaville and all around the DRC.

I have married twice and had four children. When I divorced my second husband, after he was unfaithful, I went back to Kinshasa. I began to work for a political party and met a man called Jose. When I was living with Jose and his mother, he developed a high fever. His mother advised me to go for a check-up and the doctor told me I was HIV+. I got thinner and thinner and lost my job. My social life became more and more difficult.

One day a friend of mine came to visit me at a time when I was very sick. She was a volunteer and social worker at FFP and invited me to go to go there. Maman Bernadette welomed me and in 1988 I became a volunteer at FFP.

Before coming to FFP I had no clothes, shoes or even soap to wash my dishes. Now I have these things again. I want to take lots of photographs and to travel again. I am very happy that Congolese women are doing something to raise awareness about HIV/Aids.

In some ways, living with HIV has opened many doors for me. I have a fortunate life.