Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
At the age of 12, Ashlynne van Wyk discovered that she had been born with HIV. She was raised by her granny, who always reassured her that she was a special child. Her mom passed away when she was just two years old, leaving her as an only child. Her dad, overwhelmed by grief, struggled to cope with the loss of his wife, so her granny took her in. Despite the tragedy in her early life, Ashlynne’s childhood was filled with love and joy, especially in the company of her cousins. Her granny and dad often shared stories about her mom, helping her feel connected to the woman she never had the chance to know. Her dad was her greatest support – visiting her daily and making sure she always felt loved. His most cherished compliment to her was always: “You look just like your mom. She was a beautiful woman.” These words made her feel special, and her bright, big smile always reflected the love she carried in her heart.
Living with uncertainty
Although she had a happy childhood, Ashlynne often felt unwell. She was constantly tired and suffered from severe aches and pains, making it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or play with friends. “I was in grade 2 when I realised that something was wrong with my body, but I couldn’t put my finger on it,” she recalls. Her daily routine included taking six large tablets in the morning and another six at night. The medication made her feel ill, and swallowing the tablets was an endless struggle. One day, she asked her granny, “Why don’t my cousins have to take tablets?” Her granny smiled and gently reassured her, “You are special, my child. Only special children take these pills.”
Ashlynne with her great-aunt, Charmaine Daniels | Picture: Armand Hough
Facing the stigma
Ashlynne was 12 when her granny finally told her the truth – her mom had died from AIDS, and she had been born with HIV. She struggled to grasp what it meant. Why had her granny waited so long to tell her? As she tried to process this new reality, her world was shattered even further when one of her cousins – who was in the same grade and class as her – blurted out in front of their classmates, “Ashlynne has AIDS!” The shame and humiliation were overwhelming. She wanted to run away and hide. The reaction of her friends made it clear that, whatever AIDS was, it was something bad. That same year, her granny passed away. The loss was devastating. ‘Why now?’ she wondered.
A place to belong
Thankfully, her dad remained a steady presence in her life. He took her out every Saturday, sharing stories about her mom, their love, and how much she meant to him. These conversations filled her heart with joy. But deep inside, she longed for a mother figure, and she had always dreamt of living with her great-aunt, Charmaine, if anything ever happened to her granny. When her granny passed away, that dream became a reality – aunty Charmaine took her in. Her new home also introduced her to something even greater – faith. Aunty Charmaine took her to church, where she encountered Jesus. She later joined the church’s spiritual dance team and found solace in dance, writing, and photography. “My greatest love and joy is God Himself,” she says with her bright, beaming smile. Despite facing bullying from friends and even some family members, Ashlynne remained steadfast in her faith. “Granny always told me I was special. That truth helped me through the hardest days.”
Learning to fight
Taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication remained a struggle – both for Ashlynne and for aunty Charmaine, who now had to ensure she followed a strict routine. Some days, Ashlynne flatly refused to take her tablets. At one of her hospital check-ups, a social worker sat down with her and her dad, explaining in detail what it meant to be HIV-positive. It was a moment of clarity for Ashlynne. Aunty Charmaine made a life-changing sacrifice for her niece. She had been offered a fully sponsored overseas trip to Hamburg, Germany – a lifelong dream – but she chose to stay behind to support Ashlynne. Her presence and unwavering love cemented a deep, mother-daughter bond between them.
Turning pain into purpose
Ashlynne refused to let her diagnosis define her. She became an elected board member of AHISA (Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance), where she equips young people with the knowledge and resources to navigate life with HIV. Passing her matric exams was nothing short of a miracle. Despite taking daily medication, she remained healthy throughout her final year of school and credits God for sustaining her. Today, she is studying towards a diploma in HIV counselling management at Boston College. Her dream is to become a social worker; a “voice for the voiceless”. She has also turned years of personal journalling into a published book, hoping to help young people who are struggling with the reality of living with HIV.
Ashlynne van Wyk wrote a book about her HIV journey | Picture: Armand Hough
A journey of forgiveness
One of the most profound steps in Ashlynne’s healing journey was forgiving her mom. “She never told anyone she had AIDS. She could have been alive today. But I have forgiven her for infecting me,” she shares. Journalling became her best friend, allowing her to process her emotions and experiences. She now uses her story to help others, hoping to make the world a better place for young people facing similar struggles. Her health has improved tremendously – she now only takes one tablet a day, and most of her symptoms are no longer present.
Living for Jesus
“My faith and love for Jesus mean everything to me. He has healed me, and I am forever grateful. I live for Him because He loves me so.” Through faith, resilience, and the unwavering support of loved ones, Ashlynne’s journey is a testament to God’s grace. She is a light to others, proving that even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, hope and healing are possible.
This article is featured in the April issue of JOY! Magazine, which is now on sale nationwide! Pick up your copy from any leading supermarket, or read a digital version of this issue here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 04/04/2025
SOPHIA ROMAN – pioneer, visionary, and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband, Theo, pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
Feature image: Ashlynne worshipping through dance.
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