Cryptococcal Meningitis Took Her Sight and Her Salon in Malawi

LILONGWE, Malawi - For years, Patricia's salon was more than a business. It was a place where women gathered to share stories, celebrate milestones and leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. The buzz of hair clippers, the warmth of conversation and a steady stream of customers gave her a reliable income and the dignity of self-reliance.

Running a successful salon allowed Patricia to support her family, pay school fees and build a future she once believed was secure.

Patricia has lived with HIV for many years. Like millions of Africans, she managed her condition with treatment and regular clinic visits, determined not to let her diagnosis define her life. In her community she was known instead as a hardworking entrepreneur whose skilled hands transformed hairstyles and whose infectious smile welcomed everyone through her salon doors.