12-Year-Old Boy With HIV Gets Standing Ovation After Rousing Speech At UN Conference
A 12-year-old Kenyan boy living with HIV, Elijah Zachary Lamaiyan Sime, received a standing ovation from hundreds of delegates after delivering the opening speech at a United Nations conference on AIDS on Sunday.
Elijah said at the UN event co-chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, “We are children, we have rights, we have a future, presidents, thank you for making the promise to end Aids by 2030. Please keep your promise.”
Elijah also stated that a vital step in dealing with the disease is to eradicate the stigma attached to people living with HIV. He said, “The mother of my best friend told him not to play with me and that made me very sad.”
Elijah also revealed he hopes to obtain a doctorate in science by 2030, when he will be 27 years old.
Reacting to the speech, President Kenyatta referred to Elijah as a brave young man, an advocate and a champion of young people throughout the world living with HIV.
Coming from a 12 year old, this is so encouraging. He’s so smart and enlightened. Awareness is the key cos a lot of people living with this disease believe it’s a death sentence.
This is so touching. Hmmm God save this generation from deadly disease.
Awwwww
Awwwww a 12year old.
Serves as encouragement to people living with HIV n to deter others from discrimination
Awwe, great orator.
Na wao!
God bless him
I just wish the stigmatizations can stop. Brave boy.
Hmmm. How did he get it
Dis is awesome,such a kid wit such dreams ad courage
May God bless and make his dreams come through Amen
So brave
What a courageous kid