"I believe that the prevention of HIV passing from mother to child is very important - we need a new generation who are not HIV positive. My hope is that within five years there will be no more HIV positive babies born here. That is my dream." Mathakane Metsing, Lesotho, Southern Africa
These powerful films and photos by photographer Gideon Mendel share the personal stories of seven women in Lesotho. All are living with HIV but only some have benefited from services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus (PMTCT). Find out more about the situation in Lesotho.
Gideon Mendel/2007/UNICEF UK
Mathakane Metsing is HIV positive but her daughter "Blessing" was born free from HIV because they received PMTCT.
Lerato Chakalane is HIV positive. She gives birth to a daughter and both mother and child receive PMTCT treatment.
Matiesetso Pahlabaki is HIV positive. She did not receive PMTCT and her baby girl is sick. Her husband is also ill.
Tsepang Lebete is HIV positive and expecting her second child. She attends antenatal sessions, which includes advice on PMTCT.
Parents, Marafelie and Mohloni Khechane are both HIV positive. Marafelie received PMTCT and two-year-old Selebalo was born free of HIV.
Ntsiuoa Ralefifi is HIV positive. Her first child Nthatisi is free from HIV thanks to access to PMTCT services.
Mathato Notsi discovered that she and her baby have HIV six weeks after giving birth. They are receiving ARV treatment.
