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Hi, everyone. My name is David Vilakazi.
I'd like to tell the people from Sweden about my story.
I'm a small little boy who's *** positive.
My dream is that... I wish I can live in a big house one day,
even though it's not this day, but God will answer my prayers.
It will be me who is happy, even though it's difficult for me now.
I'm an orphan. But even though I'm an orphan...
My mother passed away in 1996, when I was three months.
My father passed away in 2009.
David is a student at the Vukuzakhe High School,
in the South African township of Umlazi, south-west of Durban.
Sadly, his story is not unique.
South Africa has the highest rate of *** in the world.
Umlazi has one of the highest rates of infection within South Africa.
*** can be seen, in primary schools especially...
The teachers are losing a lot of learners because they are born with ***.
This year, we've got 1,273 learners. When we counted
at the beginning of the year, we had 441 learners who are without parents.
*** and AIDS is a major challenge for South Africa and Southern Africa.
It's affecting everyone. It's affecting the employees and all our customers,
and of course affecting the rest of the population.
It was a fairly easy decision that this was the area,
and we found out that Star for Life was the programme we would like to enter.
Star for Life is an ***/AIDS prevention programme
for students in South African high schools.
The aim is to encourage youth to make life-affirming decisions and choices
and pursue their dreams of a better future.
In 2007, Volvo Southern Africa began with programmes
in eight local high schools in Durban, including the Vukuzakhe High School.
The most vital thing I can say about Star for Life is the counselling.
The coach we have right now is currently helping us.
She has helped me in person. I know her on a personal level.
The computers and the mobile clinic are also vital to us.
It has helped our school a lot. In our environment, there's a lot of crime.
A lot of things are happening, like teenage pregnancy and drug abuse.
They give us tips on how to prevent teenage pregnancy,
because it can block our future and destroy what we have aspired to.
The goals that we have, the fantasies. They've helped us a lot.
It's a workshop that will enlighten you about what you want to do.
It makes you realize that you have dreams,
even though you're not aware of them.
Star for Life has been a huge success.
Volvo's relationship with the schools continues to grow.
In October, 2011, Volvo Trucks' former President Staffan Jufors
came to Vukuzakhe to present them with a check to fund a new library.
In 2011, Volvo Southern Africa decided to extend their commitment
to another eight high schools in Johannesburg.
In the near future, they will also include schools in Cape Town.
Music and dance form an important part of South African culture.
So, Star for Life has established the Star Choir,
which is made up of students from their schools.
In 2010 and 2011, the Star Choir held concerts all over Sweden,
with all proceeds going to Star for Life schools.
Volvo Southern Africa now supports Star for Life programmes
in sixteen high schools, reaching out to over 18,000 students.
For Volvo Southern Africa, Star for Life allows them
to connect with local communities and reach out to those that matter most.
I don't mind that I'm *** positive.
All that I mind is that my life is okay. So, I just want to tell the truth.
I'm really grateful, I'm really happy. My life is clear. I'm free!
Anyone who feels that his status is not okay, I'm just telling you:
Just be free. Just have faith in yourself and hope. Thank you.