| Summary: | The HlV and AIDS pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide. In 2004,
statistics released by UNAlDS revealed that the number of people infected with HIV
and AIDS had reached 42 million worldwide. Much has been written about the plight
of those infected with the disease but not as much attention is focused on those who,
although uninfected, suffer the effects of living with a family member or close friend
who is HIV positive. There are those children of school-going age who live with, care
for and are affected by the HIV and AIDS infected. These children are affected in all
spheres - in their home life, their relationships, and their academic life at school.
Studies show that these HIV and AIDS affected adolescents constitute an at-risk
population. This study attempts to understand the impact of being HIV and AIDS
affected on adolescent learners. A qualitative approach was employed in conducting
this research. Purposive sampling was used to select an information rich individual,
one African, female, articulate adolescent learner. The case study method was
employed. The data was obtained by means of open-ended questions in numerous
interviews.
The findings indicated that the HIV and AIDS affected learner experienced significant
difficulties, such as depression, isolation, fear of stigma and developmentally inappropriate responsibilities. These difficulties had an impact on all areas of her life - her school life, peer relationships, relationships with teachers, her family life, and her development. === Thesis (M.Ed. ) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.
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