28 touching stories
Although I already have a fair volume of reading to do for school, I try to read other books as well, for balance. Reading before bed lets my brain disconnect from the crazy pace of the day. The latest book I just finished was touching and an eye-opener.
28 Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen puts faces on the 28 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Stephanie Nolen tells the stories of 28 individuals either living with AIDS or whom have had their lives impacted by AIDS: grandmothers raising their grandchildren because the parents have both died, AIDS activists, people who were infected by their partners, following an accident, middle class folks who no longer can afford the antiretroviral drugs to fight the disease, and even a prostitute exposed daily to AIDS but still testing negative.
The book could be depressing, but I found it, on the contrary, to be a source of inspiration and, hopefully, understanding. Within the boundaries of our culture, I find it challenging to understand and accept how others deal with the disease. How can a wife sleep with her husband without a condom even when she knows he is sick with the deadly disease, how can families and neighbors turn their backs on a person recently diagnosed, how come drugs and funds never reach the people they are meant to help? This book sheds a gentle light on some of the issues that have accelerated the spread of HIV/AIDS across the continent.
The battle seems impossible to win, yet people still fight. The determination and strength from people who have nothing is uplifting and humbling. I shall keep these brave individuals in mind when I find myself facing a hard day.
28 Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen puts faces on the 28 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Stephanie Nolen tells the stories of 28 individuals either living with AIDS or whom have had their lives impacted by AIDS: grandmothers raising their grandchildren because the parents have both died, AIDS activists, people who were infected by their partners, following an accident, middle class folks who no longer can afford the antiretroviral drugs to fight the disease, and even a prostitute exposed daily to AIDS but still testing negative.
The book could be depressing, but I found it, on the contrary, to be a source of inspiration and, hopefully, understanding. Within the boundaries of our culture, I find it challenging to understand and accept how others deal with the disease. How can a wife sleep with her husband without a condom even when she knows he is sick with the deadly disease, how can families and neighbors turn their backs on a person recently diagnosed, how come drugs and funds never reach the people they are meant to help? This book sheds a gentle light on some of the issues that have accelerated the spread of HIV/AIDS across the continent.
The battle seems impossible to win, yet people still fight. The determination and strength from people who have nothing is uplifting and humbling. I shall keep these brave individuals in mind when I find myself facing a hard day.
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