He lives with his family of five in Motloang, a village 70 kilometres east of Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. The family comprises his daughter, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. Lesotho's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 23,2 percent is one of the world's highest.

The country is still recovering from the impact of the 2006/07 drought, the worst in 30 years. "There was no work - there is still no work," said Thakali. According to some estimates, unemployment is as high as 45 percent.

In the 2007/08 season the rains were better, but there was still not enough and production of maize, the staple food fell. The global food crisis has had a severe impact on the Basotho, as the country depends largely on food imports.

"I have been struggling, as I have not been able to earn any money and food prices have been bad," said Thakali.

In May 2008, he and his family began receiving food rations from the World Food Programme through its targeted food assistance programme for those needing prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART) and tuberculosis (TB) treatment in remote, mountainous and inaccessible areas.

"But there were days [earlier in the year] when we lived only on water and slept, but I still took my [antiretroviral] medicine," said Thakali. "I know I cannot stop if I have to get better." - IRIN