Rusinga Island, Kenya
An island devastated by poverty and AIDS.
Rusinga is a small island just off the coast of western Kenya in Lake Victoria. With a long history as a fishing people, Rusinga’s inhabitants have historically been well-supported by the abundant fish in the lake. Two factors, however, have brought devastation to this small island. First, booming populations all around Lake Victoria has resulted in fish scarcity; fishermen need to go further and further to catch their food. Second, increased travel among fishing communities has resulted in the dramatic spread of HIV.
Caught in the grip of the AIDS epidemic, fishing families are losing their wage-earners, and mothers increasingly turn to prostitution to feed their children. In this way, HIV spreads even further and orphaned children are left in the care of elderly grandparents or even older siblings who themselves may turn to prostitution.
