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28: Stories of Aids in Africa

Author: Stephanie Nolen
Publisher: Walker & Company
$25.95 Cloth (384 p.)
ISBN: 9780802715982
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Reviewed by Danielle Miller, Library Support Center Representative

28: Stories of Aids in Africa is written by experienced journalist, Stephanie Nolen, who takes the reader on a shocking journey into the AIDS crisis in Africa. This book is comprised of 28 individual stories-one for each million people infected in Africa alone. Nolen introduces us to HIV-positive men, women, orphans, doctors, prostitutes, truck drivers, scientists, children, heterosexuals, grandmothers, college-educated members of the elite social class and those residing in the poorest of villages. The reader quickly realizes that AIDS does not discriminate based on gender, age, social class, occupation or education. The themes presented in 28: Stories of Aids in Africa extend beyond the physical and emotional suffering of dealing with AIDS. The reader is made aware of such issues as the cost of anti-retroviral drugs, women's rights, lack of contraceptive usage and the intense social stigma.

Nolen focuses on the impact of this negative social stigma on HIV-positive individuals. Many struggled with the decision about whether to tell friends and family about their diagnosis. If they did tell, then they often became ostracized and banished from their village, family and close friends. However, if they didn't speak up, then they quietly suffered and watched their precious loved ones engage in risky behaviors. In Noe Sebisaba's story, "Many of his friends stopped coming around; a few confessed sheepishly that they could not be seen with him because then people would think they too were infected." Later on, Noe was forced to leave his brother's house due to the fact that his brother was afraid Noe would contaminate his utensils and infect his children. Africa is gradually pushing AIDS education to counteract the social stigma. In a story about breaking the social taboo, Nolen describes Cynthia Leshomo as winning Botswana's Miss HIV Stigma Free pageant by taking her anti-retroviral medication on-stage in front of the entire crowd. Even though AIDS awareness is expanding, this information is still not reaching enough of the population living outside of the urban areas.

Stephanie Nolen writes in a simple and straight-forward way, letting each story speak for itself. The collection of stories allows us to enrich our knowledge of AIDS in tangible ways. The reader personally connects with each character, which puts a human face to this devastating disease. In the West, we often feel removed from this pandemic, which is why this book is such essential reading for all. Africa needs our help and 28: Stories of Aids in Africa will force you to consider becoming an advocate for this cause.