The Face of HIV/AIDS
Christy Turlington - May 04, 2007
I caught my first glimpses of Swaziland through the windows of a propeller plane coming over from Johannesburg this morning. The land seemed rich and sparsely populated. The climate is perfect, warm and breezy.
Everyone we encountered today seemed gentle and friendly with a sense of pride about their homeland.
On the drive to the hotel I noted at least three HIV/AIDS-related billboards. This is sadly indicative of the seriousness of the AIDS epidemic in this country. It seems reassuring that awareness is so widespread. With nearly a quarter of its population infected with this devastating disease, Swaziland has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. I'm here to see what that looks and feels like.
So far the face of HIV/AIDS here is that of an orphan, even though we have yet to meet one. The number 70,000 is something I cannot shake.
These children have cared for their mothers, watched them die and then become parents to their siblings. These are the converted youth of a generation almost obliterated by a treatable illness.
ARVs have only recently become accessible to the already infected. How will this affect these people? How can this motivate others to have hope? This is a critical point in the history of an epidemic and in the history of this country.
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Posted by Christy Turlington at May 4, 2007 09:55 PM
Comments
1. Posted by
patty
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on
May 4, 2007 10:53 PM
Dear Christy
Fascinating and if we can raise the profile of your activities via our relationships with the World Economic Forum (Davos) or indeed with the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and UN Agencies based in Switzerland, do let us know.
With love
DK
DK Matai
The Philanthropia, ATCA, mi2g.net
Holistic Quantum Relativity Group
Dear Christy
Your photos have always given me a sense that your heart and mind are special. Best wishes to you in your work.
love, Heath
3. Posted by
hgquinn
on
May 5, 2007 09:45 PM
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Recent Comments
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hgquinn commented on The Face of HIV/AIDS
Dear Christy
Your photos have always gi
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DK Matai commented on The Face of HIV/AIDS
Dear Christy
Fascinating and if we can
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patty commented on The Face of HIV/AIDS
Mahalo Christy
My nephew was still in h
Mahalo Christy
My nephew was still in his twenties was found dead in his car. He had been driving around all that day. The infection had gone to his brain. It is an insidious disease and can't be eradicated too soon. love patty