“My name is Pilate, I am 42 years old.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe. At an early age, I lost my mother. I never saw or knew my father.
My grandmother raised me. When she too passed away, an older “uncle” took me under his wing. I went to school in Victoria Falls.
Later I tried to earn some money there by playing African music at restaurants etc. When this uncle also passed away, I went to live with another “uncle.”.
Together with a friend, I bought up herds of animals to fatten them up and sell them on to slaughterhouses. I married and had children. These I abandoned and I left for other places in Zimbabwe and also briefly to Mozambique.
That has not been a good period in my life. I did things that weren't right and things didn't go well for me. Partly because of that, I was left with few contacts and was on my own.
During those years I became infected with HIV and contracted Tuberculosis and was hospitalized several times. Simon regularly sent some money so I could pay for medicine and clothing. When I was doing better again with medication, I decided to go back to Victoria Falls. At least there I was still in contact with Simon.
Because I felt good, I stopped taking my medication. With that, I gradually lost my strength again. I had also lost a lot of weight. I could hardly walk and ended up in the hospital again. Later I learned that I also had stage 4 metastatic cancer. I was given medication again and there was not much more they could do.
I think it's a great initiative to set up a Foundation, to be able to help people like me. Now that I am sick, I notice how important it is to have people around you. Who are there for you, help you buy medicine, bring you food and visit you. Otherwise you feel very lonely.
Yes, you may use my story for the Foundation. And also my photo.
I had hoped I would be allowed to grow old. But now I have to try to be strong, because yes, what else can I do.”
Pilate
Setting up the Foundation and for what purpose, I discussed with Pilate. I told him, that in that sense he has been my inspiration and he was quite a bit “proud” of that.
Everything described here was discussed with Pilate himself. He has given me permission to use his story for the Foundation. His story, including his photo.
I thank him for that and hope, that he is now at rest and at peace.
