Our work in action

Scene from a child-led workshop, Burkina Faso. © 2004 Gideon Mendel for International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Bad news about HIV grabs the headlines. We are all familiar with the terrible suffering caused by it: how friends and families are torn apart, and how through death, stigma and discrimination the social fabric of entire communities is destroyed. All these stories are true, and with each of them we lose a bit of our humanity. But HIV has also triggered responses of tremendous courage, and these stories are seldom told.

Through these pages, we hope to show the lives of ordinary people across the globe affected by the epidemic and doing extraordinary work to contain it. We also highlight the work of organisations supported by International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) who are bringing communities together and doing inspiring work as a result.

Many of the stories and photographs are of individuals who have overcome stigma and organised themselves to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and curb the epidemic. They are making a huge difference with very little help: they have prevented new infections, and they have helped individuals, families and communities to deal with the challenges of HIV. As importantly, they have shown us all what works in each community. They are the living proof that it can be done.

Compassion and courage are in every one of these stories. They explain why and how ordinary people can make a difference – and clearly show why more support needs to be channelled to community responses. They also remind us of how much we still need to do and explain why HIV still kills thousands of people every day.