One of the reasons why HIV/AIDS isn't a every day concern for most people is that the numbers are too big. As humans we cant emotionally invest in something we cant imagine or picture, let me explain....so picture in your head 10 people....now 1000 people... now 100,000...starting to get a bit fuzzy... OK now picture 34 million.... 

whoops... there goes the picture...  and if you cant picture it... you cant picture how it relates to you... 

At only 11 years old Nkosi Johnson delivered a self written speech in front of thousands of delegates and millions of TV viewers about his experiences living with HIV and issues around AIDS in South Africa that is as relevant today as it was then. He spoke about a disease that was killing him, and that has killed millions more before and since, he spoke out at a time that his own government was denying AIDS even existed. Nkosi showed that youth can bring about incredible change because of him, companies, individuals and even governments have opened their hearts and their pockets to People With Aids (PWAs) in South Africa, where the rate of HIV infection has reached pandemic proportions, with frightening speed. 

Nkosi died almost exactly 1 year after making this speech still fighting to raise awareness and to erase the stigma around HIV/AIDS that millions endure daily...he died for our country...he died a hero...and we failed him.