Lesotho Aids diary: Chief

The BBC, in conjunction with Medecins Sans Frontieres, is following the lives of seven people from the community of St Rodrigue, in Lesotho, who will share their hopes and fears as they each struggle to live with and work through the country's HIV/Aids crisis.

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Relebone Sonopo | Chief | St Rodrigue

The last two weeks, there have been a lot of deaths. HIV is affecting us badly.

The death rates fluctuate a lot.

Sometimes that makes you very mixed up and confused. Sometimes it goes down, and sometimes it's all up there again.

Six people have died of Aids-related illnesses in the past few weeks.

After that, it's been a bit quiet.

But in the coming weeks, we will bury someone who died of a gunshot wound.

The youth of today are so reckless and misbehaved, so I am so happy that my children still respect me Lesotho Aids diary: main page

He was returning home from his work in Witbank, South Africa, when he was approached by robbers. He fought back and was shot.

He leaves behind a wife and a young son.

My daughter, who is a teacher, and her son have helped me renovate the house and bought me a TV.

She said they did it because they want to feel at home when they are visiting.

Eggs

She called me yesterday and said that she bought a nice new expensive car, and that they are coming to see me soon.

It's such a joy to my heart. The youth of today are so reckless and misbehaved, so I am so happy that my children still respect me.

Even when I call meetings, I don't sit down.

My grandson, who is a teacher, and my granddaughter who is still in school, are staying with me.

They help out with the domestic work.

When they are not here, I try to do the little that I can.

Both of them are helping out in the fields when they are not at school.

I cook when I'm on my own.

Since I don't smoke or drink, I am much more interested in food.

I eat eggs, vegetables and meat. I like everything. I love eggs.

In the past, I used to have a chicken project that produced meat and eggs.

But the feed was a bit expensive so I had to let the project go.

Now I buy eggs from other people.

I have got some cows for milk and I hope that they will start having milk next year.

I am also growing tomato plants.

We should all be self-employed and avoid unemployment.

That's best for everyone and less expensive.

It also keeps people like me fit.

It's very rare that I sit. Instead I go about my business.

Even when I call meetings, I don't sit down.

Read Chief Relebone's last diary entry

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