local report
If Streets Around the World
Unite Hand in Hand
It Will Turn Into a Tremendous Power
Currently, 15%-25% of the adults in Malawi, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe are said to be HIV positive,and that the number is still increasing, possible settlement of the problem still unknown. With various governments and international NGOs doing AIDS campaign, awareness amongst people have increased,though it is also a fact that number of infections through not using condoms, rape, and prostitution hasn’t decreased.
Secondary infections between husband and wife is especially increasing amongst poor districts. Due to such situation, there are a lot of infants being infected by AIDS while they’re inside their mothers’ wombs, and the number of orphans who lost their parents from AIDS is increasing. A lot of the Infants infected by AIDS inside their mothers’ womb are reported to live short. Even if they live longer than the others, in most cases, the children are being unable to get decent education, and within those who were sent to orphanage home due to the fact that there isn’t any relatives to look after them, a lot of them tend to become hopeless and despaired to societies, and in order to live on their own, they step into wrong directions, involved in street gangs, and into crimes such as robberies, murders, and prostitutions.
In a lot of areas in Africa, poverty & AIDS exist side by side. And at times, such situation leads to various crimes.
Ex-Child Soldiers
Africa is a multi-tribal continent, where over 5,000 different tribes are said to coexist. And a lot of its countries have been repeatedly experiencing civil wars and disputes over authority and resources. 23 out of the 53 African countries are still under governmental advice to evacuate and to avoid traveling,the situation constantly remain tense.
In such unstable state, young boys and girls are the biggest victim when civil wars begin. A lot of the child soldiers are those kidnapped by guerillas upon raiding a village, forced to take the arms and pushed out to the battlefields. Even children under 10 are said to be a part of such soldiers. In a lot of cases, girls are also forced to have sex with adult soldiers as their “comfort women.”
In fear of being killed, they have no choice but to stand on the battlefields, hold guns, and kill others.Even after they get released from such nightmare, a lot of them are left with traumatic wound,being unable to go back into society due to autism, being unable to trust others, and turning violent.
Following pages are my report text & photos of the current situation of Malawi. There are photos that you may feel is too tragic, but they are the realities of Malawi now.All patients on the photos have voluntarily revealed their diseased body and let us take these photos in hope for more people in the advanced countries to be aware of their realities. We cordially hope for your understanding.We have achieved approvals from the patients or their families for our use all these photos as well.
JAG Project Executive Producer / Noriko Asano
Research Period: 07 - 15 April 2006
Researched Area
Lilongwe (capital city)
Light House (hospital specialized in HIV)
Area 49,Lumbadzi,Blantyre,Orphanage Home,Poor Area (Blantyre),Mangochi District Hospital,Cape Maclear,Chembe,Billy Riordan Memorial Trust (Clinic)
Total Number of HIV positive & AIDS Patients (as of 2005): 930,000
Number of Mother-Child Infections (as of 2006): 86,000
Current Attempts to AIDS problem & Supports for patients by the Government of Malawi
Free blood test at government-designated hospitals
Free diagnosis at government-designated hospitals
Free prescription of ARV (medication for AIDS) at government-designated hospitals
(patient him/herself must go to the hospital to receive it)
Free distribution of condoms at government-designated hospitals
Free distributions of food supplements at government-designated hospitals
(patient him/herself must go to the hospital to receive them)
Construction of orphanage homes …etc.
The government of Malawi seems to be doing their best to improve the situation such asfree distributionsof prescriptions and free diagnosis, although the number of the hospitals providing such services is crucially small. For the patients in poverty and those in AIDS conditions of over Stage 3 who cannot walk on their own, the transportation fee to such hospitals is unaffordable, and such hospitals are located too far away to walk to, thus most of them are being left unable to make use of such services. The hospitals are also lacking enough number of nurses, and currently, one nurse has to look after 60 patients.Due to such situation, they require the patients to bring their own caretaker upon hospitalization. Or else, the patients cannot get hospitalized no matter how bad their conditions are. Such requirement is causing a lot of the patients to In addition to that, the lack of food due to the drought in 2004-2005 is still causing effects on people in simply get the prescriptions and go back to their homes. poverty, left them unable to eat. Because of that, such people are having both AIDS and malnutrition at the same time, causing AIDS to progress in faster rates and other diseases/complications to arose.As of now, the number of AIDS patients at Stage 3 is outnumbering that of the other AIDS stages,and it is clear to see that their condition will move to Stage 4 in the close future.
!!! IMPORTANT !!!
The compilation album “African JAG vol.1” we put together this time is to be retailed at 2,500yen (tax incl=approx. US$25), and sales of 2,500 copies is to be the payline of the production costs, enabling us to donate approx. 200yen (approx. US$2)/copy from the 2,501st copy sold. Considering the above calculation, I have put together supports that can be done with 10,000yen (approx. US$100) donation. (MWK1 = 1 yen = approx. 1 penny)
① 1 diagnosis for 200 people or 1 person can get 200 diagnosis at Darliona Clinic in Chembe. Cost per diagnosis= MWK50 (approx. 50 cents)
② 500 grams of Likunimphala (staple food of Malawi) which converts to 83 breakfasts for a family of 4. Cost per pack= MWK120 (approx. US$1.20)
③ Set of meal below (for patients at AIDS Stage 4 having difficulties in taking meals) can be distributed to 23 people.
1 large bottle of orange juice
2 bottle of peanut butter
3 packs of soft biscuits
4 pack of skim milk = MWK428 (approx. US$4.28)
④ 13 people can travel from Chembe to the hospitals in Mangochi & back.Return transportation fee (approx. 140km in distance) = MWK750 (approx. US$7.50)
⑤ Condoms (a pack of 3) can be distributed to 833 people. Cost per pack = MWK12 (approx. 12cents)
Misc.: A 32-seater micro bus for transportation can be purchased at US$8,500
Name AYESIIA （pseudonym)
Age 35
amily Structure:Husband deceased of HIV. Has 3 children.
AIDS Status Stage 4 (terminal stage)
Condition:Although she is skinny to the point her ribs are showing, due to ascites, her stomach was swollen up as if she is pregnant.Her buttocks had a skin cancer and swollen as well. She is also suffering from complications such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and liver troubles as well. Her legs are severely swollen,she cannot get up. Her genitals were sored to red, also swollen. Eczema was also found inside her mouth.
Situation:Has no money, and financially unable to eat. Left lied down on the floor of an empty room with only a straw mat & a blanket. She wasn’t even wearing any underwear. Has no money to travel to the hospital, and since she hasn’t eaten any food, she is unable to drink any medicine. I suggested I’ll take her to the hospital, but her sisters insisted on holding a family discussion first since there is no one to look after patients inthe hospital. At hospitals, patients are provided medications and food supplements for free, but the reality of the peoplein poverty is that they can’t even get to the hospitals.Support:given3 packs of soft biscuits, 1 large bottle of orange juice, 1 pack of sugar,MWK 2500, Travel fee to the hospital MWK1000, Clothes to go to the hospital, Doctor’s diagnosis, Her liver is been severely damaged, and too late.
Comments
She was the first woman at stage 4 that I met on this trip. Her house didn’t seem like a place someone is actually living. It was totally empty, at first, I thought she’s isolated due to her illness. On the first day, wheezes were heard every time she spoke with her weak voice. Following the interview, she showed me her stomach, feet & genitals, but the moment her blanket was taken off, her condition was too severe, I didn’t know what to do. I sensed ?her death to be right close by, that we need to take her to the hospital immediately. I requested that I take her to the hospital with the car I hired, but her kid sister who takes care of her during the day told me that there’s no one to look after patients in the hospital. She asked me to wait until the next day, so she could discuss with her family first. I gave her some money for food & transport fee to the hospital for the time being. ? The following morning, I stopped by at her house to see how she is. Her voice seemed to be stronger than the previous day. Orange juice was placed beside her pillow. She ate a piece of biscuit, but could not eat more, probably due to her ascites. Hope she eats even little by little. Later… I went to the hospital and showed her photos that I took to the doctor. He said that her liver must be damaged severely, that it is too late to give any medication. Would her life be ended by the time we visit her next…? If this is the reality of the people in poverty, it is too sad.
① Name ASOYACK（pseudonym)
Age32・AIDS status:Stage 3
Condition:AIDS & malnutrition
Situation:She was in the hospital but due to lack of beds, she was laid on the floor. He malnutrition is especially severe, made us remind of the photos of people in starvation. That was exactly what it was. He eyes were hollow, staring at one point in the air.
Support given:MWK1000
② Name YINDIE（pseudonym)
Age38・AIDS status:Stage 4 (terminal stage)
Condition:cerebral disability
Situation:ue to cerebral disability, she couldn’t even speak. Wonder what her blank eyes are trying to tell…
Support given:MWK1000
③ Name ALIMARE （pseudonym)
Age28・AIDS status:Stage 4 (terminal stage)
Condition:skin cancer (whole body)
Support given:MWK1000
Comments
I was told that the above people are still lucky. Most of the patients aren’t being able to stay in the hospital. The beds are extremely lacking. The hospital itself is in a bad situation, where 1 nurse has to look after 60 patients. Due to such situation, unless a family member could accompany the patient, people cannot get hospitalized. There are also people that travel 300 kilometers to get free medications. The current number of national hospitals run by the country is approximately 60. It is said that there are around 30 churches & hospitals providing medications which isn’t free, and since national hospitals are lacking medicine, a lot of times, people can’t get their medications after such long travel. At lunch time, the woman of the photo at the top devoured ugali (corn powder that’s kneaded & steamed). The way she ate even hinted madness. This really is what it is to live.
① Name MALEKE (pseudonym)
Age7/AIDS status:Stage＝unknown
Condition:There is a scar on his neck and it suppurates. Flies come around the injury,? the sanitation condition is very bad. His cheek is swollen and had a fever. It needs disinfecting and anti-suppuration. He hides the injury with his shirt.
Situation:He lost his parents by AIDS. He was also infected from his mother when he was born. Now his uncle is taking care of him.
Support given:2 packs of cookies
1 large bottle of orange juice
2 pack of powdered milk
3 bottle of peanut butter
crayons,MWK1000
Note:We have also donated MWK10,000 (approx. US$100) to a clinic in their neighborhood for them to receive their treatment for free. This should help 200 people/200 diagonosis.
② Name FAITONE (pseudonym)
Age8/AIDS status:Stage＝unknown
Condition:Fever, a cough
Situation:His mother died by AIDS. His father abandoned him and ran away.Now his sister is taking care of him. It is not unusual for a father to abandon his kid when his wife has a problem like AIDS. Faiton is one of those children.Support given:2 packs of cookies
1 large bottle of orange juice
2 pack of powdered milk
3 bottle of peanut butter
crayons,MWK1000
Comments
There are many orphaned children who have AIDS. The two boys that I met at the village have AIDS. This was the first time I ever saw an African child not expressing any of his happiness or emotions. The fourth picture was when I took pictures over and over and finally managed to make him laugh. Even his small amount of happiness made me feel so happy. In 2004, there were 83,000 kids who are born with AIDS right away. These kids who will remain in this village will eventually die if they do not receive any cure. I want to make a place where these children can receive a cure even a day earlier. Also, there is a need of transportation to take them to blood tests. The population of this village is approximately 10,000 people. It is said that 50 % of the population has AIDS. Out of the percentage of those people that has AIDS, I wonder how many of them are kids. ...
Orphanage Home
There are so many orphans in Malawi.There are about 120 orphans from 3 to 6yrs old in a two 225sqft rooms. It is said that it is an orphanage home but they only take care of the orphans in the morning and afternoon. I was surprised that the numbers of the orphans are so many. There are 5 kids who are infected with AIDS among the orphans and it’s going to increase. This home is boarded by a support from the government and a private enterprise. Now, another home is under construction next to the home, but they said they are in need more money. I only donated crayons for the kids.
【Comments】
There are two empty 225sqft rooms, and in those rooms, approximately 120 kids are in there. The walls are covered with drawings drawn by these children. The room does have some labels on the wall such as music, art, and things like blocks. The boy who sits in front of them seems to be in the program but the musical instruments they have are some cans filled with sand, there are not enough blocks to even build... Even if they were under these bad conditions, the kids reacted with loud energetic laughter and excitement for me each time my camera light flashed. Most of the children in the orphanage home are taken cared by his/her grandparents. And 54 orphans have AIDS and it is still increasing year by year. I wonder how the future for these kids is going to be like...
Malnutrition
Many of the children in a Chembe village have bloated stomachs and their ribs appear on their body. It is because of malnutrition and they are in need for an emergency food support. The population of this village is approximately 10,000 people and it is said that 50 % of the population has AIDS. However, no one knows about the correct numbers. People cannot go to a hospital for their blood test, because they would have to walk about 12-13miles for a blood test or they have to ride a truck. They don’t have any ways for transportation.
【Comments】
The village is close to the Malawi Lake and fishes can be fished. However, the village people are only eating dried corns and things that are roasted. The fishes that are fished are not there for them to eat but there to sell. AIDS can be catches by fishermen and they have affairs with other women. Therefore, many of their children are infected with AIDS. This village will collapse into pieces if they don't have the nutritious nourishment and prevention for AIDS. Near the orphanage home, there is a clinic run by a doctor from Holland and the staffs there are all volunteers from Europe. To get examined for AIDS it costs MWK50 (approx. US$0.50). If I collaborate with this hospital, perhaps we can all make a difference and take action to help. The words by Mrs. Rose, a veteran nurse, that she wants to make a farm to be co-owned by all villagers, was especially impressive. Text & Photos: Noriko Asano
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