Teachers help pupils to be optimistic (2)

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The association hired nurses to take care of them.

"They cook for them, do their laundry, help with homework and take them to a hospital, as they can easily fall ill," Zhang said.

"It's not easy to find someone who wants to do the job. Of course, they know they won't get HIV by having meals or sharing a toilet with HIV carriers, but they still discriminate and fear them."

Liu from Shanxi, who is also HIV-positive, said she encourages her students to be strong, as they will face many challenges after they leave her school.

"A 16-year-old boy wanted to transfer to another school because he wanted to see how he is doing competing with other children out there. He called several schools, which all turned him down," she said.

To help avoid discrimination, Liu advises students not to take medicine in front of other people.

She said her friends and family have not changed their attitudes after she disclosed her health condition, but admitted discrimination against HIV carriers is obvious.

"I often advise my students to try seeing things through other people's perspective," she said. "Sometimes people do certain things not necessarily because they discriminate against us, but simply out of self-protection.

"I have experienced many more such scenarios than these kids. It will be better if you let it go."

A rosy-cheeked 16-year-old from Anhui, who did not want to be identified, said she will start high school in September.

She said her classmates in middle school, who did not know about her condition, were all nice to her, but she was concerned about how people around her would be if they discovered she was HIV-positive.

Ye Dawei, deputy secretary-general of the China Red Ribbon Foundation, said he would like this tour to help more accept HIV carriers.

"These children are just as lovely and naughty as other kids," he added.

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