Judith Atieno Basil from Ugisu in Kenya, was 12 years old when her parents died from AIDS-related illnesses in 1996. “My youngest sister was just three months old, so I had to leave school and get married. It meant my younger brothers and sisters could stay at school and one of them is now at university.”

Fortunately, she was able to turn to an HIV and AIDS support group ActionAid had helped set up for young people in her community. Made up of 16-34 year olds, many, like Judith, had lost parents, brothers, sisters and friends and some are HIV-positive themselves.

Lots of people came to see their plays and then to get advice. HIV infection rates declined, along with sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies.

ActionAid helped train the group to be HIV and AIDS counsellors, and to care for people with AIDS-related illnesses. The group educate other young people about HIV and AIDS, challenging the stigma that surrounds the virus and prevents people knowing how to protect themselves, get tested, or get treatment.

"I teach young people about safer sex and condom use," says Judith. "A few years ago there was a lot of stigma around HIV but this has changed and now people freely admit to being positive.

"They come to me for counselling and advice if they are sick. We have free condoms at the group office and at the beach and market. We fill the dispenser every day and lots of people use them. We do demonstrations to show people how to use them.”

Her experience has given Judith further ambitions. "I hope that in coming years young people will have something to do and will be free from HIV,” she says. “I want my children to be educated. I want a change of ideas in my community."