SocialDocumentary.net | Carol Allen Storey | Angels at the Edge of Darkness

Photographer: Carol Allen Storey

Title: Angels at the Edge of Darkness

Location: Tanzania, United Republic of

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Exhibit Abstract

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Exhibit Abstract

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Exhibit Abstract

Grace, a RELUCTANT sex worker

“I hunt for men and tell them I want sex … sex work is a means to survive in this hostile environment. A man for the night, food for the day.”

Here in Hamukungu fishing village virtually all the women enter the sex trade, even grandmothers. Sex work is the only work available to widowed women who are uneducated. We are desperate to feed the hungry mouths of our children. Most of us have lost our men from the AIDS virus, which they passed on to us. We all suffer from their arrogance. My plan is to earn as much money as possible so that my children will attend school and break the cycle of illiteracy.

GRACE 33 years old, widowed, 3 children, HIV/AIDS +
June 2011, Hamukungu Fishing Village, Uganda

‘ANGELS at the edge of darkness’ project focuses on Sub-Saharan African women affected with the HIV/AIDS virus. The collection of essays provide narratives of their personal experiences conquering the consequences of this intrusive killer; illuminating their resilience, indomitable spirit and courage.

My aim has been to compose intimate visual profiles from daily rituals through to challenges for survival. While photography illustrating AIDS in Africa usually depicts shocking images of bodies worn away from the disease, the suffering and grief, few in-depth stories portray the actual every day fighting and coping with the virus.

For the first time in modern African history, women have taken the helm of the family, a consequence of the AIDS pandemic which has denuded the male population. By depicting the new African paradigm for the family, this project aims to raise social consciousness and educate the global village about what is happening in the region. It will provide a voice for the ‘voiceless’ illustrating how women, with their proven skills of nurturing, team work, compromise and compassion have created confidence and optimism amongst those afflicted.

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The project was launched in September 2007. Since its inaugural journey, I have undertaken eight visits to the countries targeted including Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. The most recent this past May-June 2012. The venture has been personally financed out of my unswerving commitment and passion to provide a resounding voice for these unheard citizens.

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