“Generation Free”
Posted on February 26, 2009 - Filed Under Charity, EGPAF, Nigel Barker Today, Photography, Travel Shoots
A generation free of HIV……..a pipe dream or a possibility? HIV/AIDS is plagued with misconceptions, stigma and discrimination the world over, yet I have seen the face of AIDS change dramatically in the last 10 years. Of course many of us remember when HIV/AIDS came crashing onto the scene in the 1980s, terrifying society and with the fear came discrimination. I was personally effected by the disease when a good friend of mine died in the 1990s, watching him disappear was dreadful and will always haunt me.
It was in 2007 that I first helped out at the Carnival Fundraiser “Kids For Kids” in NYC for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The event was being held at my local photo studio, Industria. I was to take photos of big donors and help out at a booth during the carnival. I had a great time as did all in attendance but what really stuck out were these kids I kept meeting. Girls and boys, full of purpose, proud, healthy and HIV +………… Okay, so I was niave to think we hadn’t come a long way in the past decade but you know I was still surprised to see these children living healthy lives! There is still a long way to go but the Foundation has made massive progress here in the United States, virtually eliminating HIV in new born babies. I’ve been involved with the Foundation and their carnivals in NYC and LA ever since.
At the last one I approached Pam Barnes, the CEO of the Foundation with an idea.
As a photographer and film maker perhaps I could make a film of how the face of AIDS is changing and that now is the time to really turn on the heat. My audience on America’s Next Top Model, which is now a global audience, would hopefully listen to more serious and relevant subject matter and we could produce a series of films and photos illustrating what is being done, what’s been achieved and encourage people to get tested and become educated in a disease that doesn’t discriminate. It’s a formula my production company has used with the HSUS and the Edeyo Foundation creating the documentaries “A Sealed Fate?” and “Haiti: Hunger & Hope”.
We settled on Tanzania as one of the 18 countries the foundation runs it’s programs. Tanzania represented what needs to be achieved and was a great example of the programs in action with proven results. The country has a diverse population spread over dense urban areas to difficult to reach rural countryside. The foundation’s goal of creating a generation free of HIV is only possible by reaching everyone no matter how hard it is to get there.
So for the past 2 weeks we have been in Tanzania, flying into Kilimanjaro and traveling around the country visiting hospitals and clinics where the foundation runs it’s PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) programs and CTC (Care & Treatment centers). We also interviewed 30 people from doctors and nurses to government employees and the First Lady, to everyday folk and the Maasai. As I said, the disease doesn’t discriminate so it was important to talk to everybody.
Many of the interviews were pre-organized but several were spare of the moment encounters with individuals infected with HIV and those who were free from infection but doing what they could to help others.
Obviously, a highlight of the trip was visiting the Maasai Steppe and having the opportunity to interview the village elders and medicine man. The Maasai are a nomadic, pastoral tribe with no specific affiliation to any one country. What was particularly fantastic was meeting a traditional birthing attendant who lived in a mud hut. She had been through the Foundation’s PMTCT training and was employing those life saving techniques in the village! She told me in Maasai (that was then translated into Swahili and then into English!!) that at first the women were scared of the modern methods she had been taught but when they noticed that their baby’s chances of survival were greater if she delivered the child using the “new ways” then they all opted for her help. Let’s face it, a mother’s love for her child is no greater whether you are a Maasai or a First Lady, we all want what’s best for our children.
Another highlight was chartering a small plane to film aerial shots of the region. We were able to get an incredible overview of how people live and not to mention breathtaking views with a double rainbow no less!
All in all, we had a life changing experience in Tanzania and not because the country is so spectacular, rather the people are exceedingly friendly and hospitable. And, despite the dire straits many find themselves in because of diseases like HIV/AIDS there is more than just hope to hold on to. Due to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundations efforts real results are achievable. Currently a 1000 children are born infected with HIV every day and of those children, half will die before their second birthdays………. We have the know how to prevent these infections in the first place and the medicine to help secure a healthy life in any event. We just need to make it happen.
So, stay tuned for our film and photos coming soon and please volunteer, donate and advocate!! visit www.pedaids.org together we can create a generation free of HIV.
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7 Responses to ““Generation Free””
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Right on… as always!
Hi Nigle & the crew that keep this blog on.
I´ve been following your works these couple of month and I’m inspired by your passion that makes a difference in our life.
Thank you and I hope I get a chance to work with you in future.
Sincerely
Nina from Stockholm
Hi Nigel,
As a Haitian,let me hopefully be the first of many to thank you for taking an interest in a country that most Haitian refer to as being in a coma with no life line.When I hear that Wycleff Jean is helping Haiti,although I appreciate his effort;I expect it. On the contrary,when i hear that someone like Nigel who has nothing to gain from Haiti take the time and interest in the country, it brings tears to my eyes. I appreciate you and hope you have much success in your continued effort.
Thank you,
Ginou
Hi Nigel,
I just saw you on Tyra. I decided to look at the wonderful pictures of Haiti. I wonder if you would be interested in doing the same thing in 1 of the poorest area’s of our nation. I think you interesting pictures of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation would really wake up America. The area is in awful shape. I know your pictures could Wake Up America. All area’s are not like the place you live in! Please, Please think
about it. I know Haiti is very poor, and it
needs help, but also the First People of our nation.
Sincerely
Anita from Eden
yes, hiv needs to be prevented, those children are innocent…i been in contact with them before and they were so cheerful and friendly despite the fact that they are sick…i believe it was due to the care and passion from societies in providing helps…and i believe through media and celebrities’ power, we can make it works better ^^
hi nigel,
greeting from,
malaysia
^^
Drooling over the Canon 5D Mark II I see you shooting with there… how wonderful is it?
hi nigel, this is my first blog entry ever! Nice to have a little chat at the park on Easter. I am a special education preschool teacher and on break this week which is how I happened to see you on the Mike and Juliet show today… which is where I heard you speak of your charity and this website. What serendipity.
I take interest in Edeyo from my passion for childrens’ education and I hope to follow this charity work. Great effort and enjoy your family!
Greetings from New Jersey, leslie