The path of life

Though HIV and AIDS have been out of the spotlight recently, the pandemic remains a threat to millions of people, families and communities.

Thanks to advances in medicine, the disease is no longer necessarily the death sentence it used to be. The goal now is to continue helping those who are affected and to prevent the further spread of the pandemic.

I visited the Chikuni Mission in the Southern Province of Zambia. It helps 1000 patients living in 180 villages within its 5000 km2 catchment area.

I spent two days on the road, meeting different people, accompanied by a driver and a charity worker who also doubled up as my interpreter.

A few hours drive from the Chikuni Mission, in the tiny village of Michelo, not far from the border with Zimbabawe, people had got together in a small hut for their support group meeting.

Though in Chikuni there was no end in sight to the dry season, the rain was pelting down in buckets in Michelo. Under the corrugated iron roof of the hut, it was next to impossible to conduct and record the interviews I was planning to do because of the sound of the rain crashing down.

There was nothing to do but wait and let the group get on with their meeting. That suited me fine – it gave me the opportunity to shoot more natural pictures.

Everyone I met told a similar story – access to medical care is not easy. They have to walk for hours or even days to reach the nearest medical facility whenever they need medical treatment or have to collect their antiretroviral drugs.

Their stories were always moving. 11-year-old Sonia Matanga, seen above, told me how, during the long trek to Chikuni Hospital, she had lost her footing while crossing a shallow river and had to be rescued from drowning by fishermen further downstream.

Everyone I met throughout my stay in Zambia was happy to share their stories. They were fully aware that it could help others in similar positions.