The AIDS pandemic continues to devastate sub-Saharan Africa. Two million people died from the disease in 2005 alone. Twelve million children have lost at least one parent.
The statistics are staggering.
"But we are not only talking of numbers here," says Paddington Mazarura of Zimbabwe, a career professional infected with HIV. "We are talking of people."
Kristen Ashburn's BLOODLINE: AIDS and Family is the story of these men, women and their children.
Ashburn's photographs are heartbreaking. But they also tell us of something more. They remind us of how tenuous our connection is to each other. In doing so, they show that what matters most is the care we give to those in need.
Raising Malawi is dedicated to bringing an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's one million orphans.
The organization uses a community-based approach to provide immediate direct physical assistance to create long-term sustainability. It supports education and social programs, and builds public awareness through multimedia and worldwide volunteer efforts. As part of its activities, Raising Malawi distributes financial support to grassroots organizations, and has already provided tens of thousands of vulnerable children with nutritious food, proper clothing, secure shelter, formal education, targeted medical care, and emotional support. It does not create or manage its own programs in Malawi; rather, it supports dedicated organizations on the ground.
By choosing to work at a community level, rather than imposing western beliefs and methodologies on Malawian culture, Raising Malawi is bringing sustainable change to the lives of children who need it most.
I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
Photographs by Kristen Ashburn
Foreword by Madonna
BLOODLINE: AIDS and Family is Kristen Ashburn's intimate look at the harsh reality of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Her images remind us how tenuous our connection is to each other. In doing so, they show that what matters most is the care extended to those in need.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Maria -- Russia, Kirovskiy region, Kirovo-Chepetsk
July 21, 2009 at 7:22 PM
When i saw this movie... my heart cryed... i wanna help this people... but i don't know how do it... I'm depressed.
Dr. Jeff Thurley -- Wilmington, Delaware USA
Apr 2, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Kevin Carter in his Pulitzer Prize winning photograph taken in 1994 made most of us aware of the destruction and death associated with the African continent. Kristen's work will arrive for many of us at a time when we need to again be reminded of the fate that others face. Thank you!
Leonardo Jackson -- Middletown, Delaware, USA
Feb 28, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I see the faces of people I know, in the faces of the people a world away. The brutal reality is, this is my family. You can not deny the familiar eyes of your grandmother.
Viv -- CA
Feb 9, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Thank you for this piece. Really unlike anything I've encountered before.It's heartbreaking to see families lead such torn lives but at the same time I found it empowering and truly inspiring to see that they count on their hope for the days ahead of them.
Jeanita Hardimon -- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Jan 30, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Thank you Kristen for sharing your amazing photographs and life changing experience with my high school class. You have inspired many with your works!
Brady -- Santa Monica, CA USA
Jan 25, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Kristen - Your photos from Malawi are haunting. Thanks to you and your colleagues for enlightening us all.
Jennifer Parsons -- Portland, Oregon
Apr 4, 2008 at 1:39 AM
Kristen, I watched this a year or so ago and it moved me so much that I signed up for Keep A Child Alive. I am now making my first trip to Africa (Malawi) with Embassadors for Children. In November I hope to return to Africa (Uganda) and take a documentary photo workshop that will benefit NGO's supporting AIDS awareness. I only dream that my photos could be as effective as yours have been. Thank you for inspiring me to get involved.
jayanti -- united kingdom
Feb 8, 2008 at 3:15 PM
This is one of the most incredible piece of work I have ever encountered before. It's very inspiring as well as heartbreaking at a time. I hope that it will shows how people are living in other half of the world and something needs to be done about it.
Natalie -- Dover, DE
Sep 24, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Kristen, thank you for this magnificent piece of work! I hope this will inspire many to help.
Christopher Grogan, LPN -- DSU, Dover, DE USA
Sep 27, 2007 at 12:36 PM
The messages over 25 years of this epidemic are clear. With the crisis thought of as "manageable", many of us irealize it is far from that. Even essential needs like clean water are still beyond the grasp of those weakened from the ravages. Medication is only part of the answer, caring for the children left in the devastation of AIDS is just as important. ACT ion now is imperative. Watching death without fighting is a sin.
Bruce Johnson -- Houston,TX ,USA
Jul 16, 2007 at 8:33 PM
Your messeage is loud and clear.... I know of the FEAR of being positive .... The moments where you "think" you have HIV... My tests thankfully have came back negative.... I don't have HIV but want to help somebody who does .. or if there is something I can do please send me some info ... I cant change the world but, I can TRY!!!!
enow martin e. -- yaond,centre,cameroon
Jul 10, 2007 at 9:10 AM
its a pity dat humanity has 2suffre such a fate. i wish n pray GOD comes to our help before the human specie eradicates completely from this deadle disease
Robert Harezlak -- Warsaw, MZ, Poland
Apr 9, 2007 at 8:18 PM
Thank You for this story. It's painful but there is HOPE for the next day too. I believe some day people will stop turning their heads around about this problem. For now I pray for this child and parents. God bless you people who made this film.
Mariana Vasconcellos -- Florianopolis, Brazil
Feb 19, 2007 at 10:58 AM
This is one of the most amazing pieces of work I've ever encountered. In a nutshell, it's what I want to work towards and will hopefully be doing in a few year's time. My heartfelt congratulations.
Ty Van Rensburg -- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Feb 6, 2007 at 6:05 PM
I was born in Zimbabwe and lived there for 20yrs. Growing up I visited many AIDS orphanages with my father due to his line of work. You have painted a picture with this story that shows the reality of what is going on daily in Zimbabwe. Thank you for taking the time to let the world in on the need for change in my Home country. I was in Mozambique last August visiting other AIDS orphanages, the need is so great, I really appreciate all you are doing. My Mozambique pics can be seen at http://www.parazz.com/html/?username=tyzimbo&albumID=76960
Barbara -- Dallas, TX, USA
Jan 19, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Kristen and Brian, I saw Bloodline tonight for the first time. I want you to know how moved I am by this incredible piece of journalism. Bravo to you both.
Lesley-Ann Newman -- Northwich, Cheshire, England
Jan 18, 2007 at 4:33 AM
This is a beautiful, poignant and moving film which shows the human face of AIDS. It is so easy to dismiss the statistics - they are almost incomprehensible. Florence, Pricilla, Eston and the other brave contributors share the reality of this horrifc disease. As a charity which works at the coalface in Africa, we want to thank the photographers and film makers for giving Act4Africa a tool which shows the true cost of this disease to our would-be supporters. Combatting poverty, improving education, fighting against stigma, empowering women and challenging cultural practises will all serve to reduce the incidents of AIDS in Africa. Through sharing this film we pray that more people will be moved to join in the fight against HIV and give Africa hope for a healthy future.
Christopher Grieves -- Manchester, England
Jan 17, 2007 at 4:14 PM
This is a stunning presentation. We tried something similar for our AIDS charity: http://www.act4africa.org.uk/video.php, but this is something else! We would really love to link to this work and hook up with Kristen to find out more about her work. May God bless you.
Megan Lange -- Syracuse, NY, USA
Dec 11, 2006 at 11:41 PM
I am extremely impressed by the work that these photographers and film makers have produced. "Bloodline" has motivated me so much as to change my major from Illustration photography to photojournalism so that I can try to make a difference in the world like these artists are doing by capturing the struggles that humanity faces. Friends for Life was very reminiscent of my grandmother who passed away in September, with a similar story as this one. It brought me to tears. Again, I am amazed. Please continue your hard work bringing these moving stories to the eyes of the world. Thank you. Megan Lange
Sherrlyn Borkgren -- Eugene Oregon, USA
Dec 4, 2006 at 10:10 PM
This show affected me immensly. I saw it for the first time at the Atlanta PJ S and it took all the control I could muster so as not to break into sobs during the show. I am glad that Forget Gutuzu arrived into the show when she did to remind me there are people trying to help.Thank you so much for this show. It is truely effective and I am telling everyone I know to watch it.
Chip Somodevilla -- Washington, DC, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Brian, Kristen and others, thank you again for doing the thankless work of true journalists. I believe this work and presentation is going to change lives. Brian, thanks for the work you do and making this "multimedia" (hate the word) dream a reality. Please keep up the good work. Brilliant, Chip
Mo Sadjadporu -- Dallas, Texas, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Brian and Kristen, What an eye-opening and powerful work. Thanks for sending this and encouraging me to do more.... not only as a photographer but as a human being. I hope you both continue on in your work. Blessings, Mo Sadjadpour
Thomas Boyd -- Eugene, Oregon, USA
Nov 29, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Thank you all for doing this story. I also thank you all for telling this story with such a high level of skill. It really sets the benchmark for multimedia story-telling and it's a huge inspiration to me as a staff photographer at a daily newspaper. It gives me hope that our craft will endure.
Photography, Video & Audio: Kristen Ashburn
Producers: Brian Storm, Eric Maierson, Pamela Chen & Elodie Mailliet
Production Assistance: Tamara Porras & Natalie Brasington
