One Goal

By Paul V. Kelly
Documentary Photography
Level 6
University Wales College Newport

Since the early 1980’s the world and especially the continent of Africa, has been devastated with the epidemic of Aids. No disease, no drought, no war and no famine has clamed the equivalent number of lives as Aids has in the past 20 years. In 2003 a person somewhere in the world died from an Aids related illness every 10 seconds.

Currently in Africa there are over 29.7 million people living with HIV or Aids. This figure represents 70% of registered cases world wide. Henceforth the continent of Africa is the heart the pandemic.

One Goal is a present day look at how HIV & Aids has affected West African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo. This website depicts the consequences for others that victims of this horrific disease leave behind them. Subsequent to this, the introduction of individuals who are at this moment living with HIV or Aids makes us realise that this disease is not gender or class biased.

Understanding the trials and tribulations, along with witnessing their courage and unselfishness by sharing their story, gives hope for the future in the battle against HIV & Aids.

West Africa is a society which finds it financially and medically impossible to treat all HIV & Aids patients. Hurdles such as religion, language and tribal beliefs hamper attempts to minimise the spread of the disease.

The remainder of the documentary examines the extensive measures that are been undertaken by African and Western organisations to educate people, particularly the young in relation to HIV & Aids awareness.