Opo is one of the coaches working with Egmont’s Kenyan partner organisation, VAP (Vijana Amani Pamoja) in Nairobi, helping young people gain life skills through football. Here he shares his inspiring story and why he wants to fight the stigma surrounding HIV & AIDS.

Today I have this chance of reflecting and celebrating the life of the best friend I have ever had, the person who has shaped how I have viewed life since I was a young boy. Even though I did not get the chance to enjoy his company into adulthood, the experiences I have had with him gave me a better understanding of what life is and how to relate to other people. These experiences, that I treasure so much, give me the extra energy that I need as a coach when I intervene and advocate for positive behaviour change among my friends and young people in my community.