“There’s nothing we can do about birth. A pregnant woman who is infected will pass the infection on to her newborn. But the other methods of transmission are all preventable.
“To combat the spread of HIV via blood exchange, the WHO and the Ugandan Ministry of Health are implementing testing procedures at hospitals and clinics throughout the country to detect the virus.
“That leaves needle use and unprotected sex. Sex is by far the most prevalent method of transmission, and the biggest concern.
“Those who are more sexually active are at far greater risk of contracting HIV. We believe, for example, that 86% of the sex workers in the country are HIV positive.” Several of the men in the room grew still, their eyes wide. “About one in every three lorry drivers has the disease. IV drug users are also at high risk.
“However, as I said, there is a solution. Uganda has developed a simple method for stopping the spread. We call it ABCD. A for Abstinence. B for Be faithful. C for use a Condom. And D for die. If you’re not married, choose abstinence. If you’re married, be faithful. If you can’t be faithful, use a condom. And if you don’t use a condom, you die.
“There’s one other thing I want you to take away from this meeting: compassion. The people with this virus deserve love and understanding and care—not discrimination. They don’t mean you harm. They’re just like any of us. Please don’t stigmatize people with HIV. As I’ve said, many will be children who are simply born with the disease. We don’t choose how we were born.”
That last line drew every eye to his missing left arm. In the first town where he had said it, he had realized why he had been selected for this assignment.
The session lasted almost two hours. When it was over, the group filed out of the whitewashed room with their pamphlets in hand, and promises to contact Akia and others in the district office with any questions.
The two Ugandan soldiers assigned to escort and guard Andrew began breaking down the lectern. He gathered his papers and stashed them in his bag.
Akia reviewed the roster of attendees. “We did pretty well. Only two didn’t attend.”
“Do you know them?”
“Yes. They are from the same village—Kasesa.”
“Where is it?” Andrew asked.
“In Mount Elgon National Park, near the Kenyan border. About twenty kilometers from here. I will go. It is important to me that everyone in my district knows of this disease.”
Andrew slung his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll go with you.”
“No. It may be dangerous.”
“I’m coming with you, Akia. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me. We’re in this together.”
The man smiled broadly. “Well then, let us go while we still have the light.”
The tape went black and the VCR clicked.
Charlotte stared at the old TV for a moment. “The camera crew went back to our regional command post at Mbale. That was the last anyone saw of Andrew. We found his burned remains, along with Akia and a hundred villagers, deep in Mount Elgon National Park.
“It was very brave what he was doing. HIV/AIDS is almost common knowledge now, but it was new and very scary back then. Uganda was a huge success in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. It was the first country where the WHO pioneered a single national plan and budget that all donors agreed to use and fund. The government got behind the effort. We synchronized the message and efforts, brought all the stakeholders to the table. It was all about changing lifestyle. It was our only weapon in the fight. And it worked. The US Census Bureau and UNAIDS program estimated that there was a 67% drop in HIV/AIDS infections in Uganda between 1991 and 2001. Millions of lives were saved. Children who would have been born with HIV, a death sentence then, were spared; they grew up healthy, with a shot at a normal life.
“I think Andrew would have said that was a cause worth fighting for… and dying for.”
Charlotte grew quiet. “We had talked about getting married after our tours were up in Uganda. I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like if we had.” She glanced at the old tape. “Seeing this again… it’s tough. It brings back so many memories.”
Peyton couldn’t help wondering what could have been. Charlotte, this woman who seemed good-hearted and dedicated, could have been her sister-in-law. The thought made her miss her brother even more.
“Yes,” William said. “It was indeed bittersweet to watch. I think for all of us. Thank you for showing us the video, Charlotte. It means a great deal.”
“Of course.”
They walked back to Charlotte’s office in silence. Ahead, Peyton heard papers rustling. Someone was waiting for them.
Charlotte pushed the door open. Standing inside her office were three men in woodland camo. Two pointed rifles at Charlotte and the others; another was looking through the folder from Aralsk-7.
Peyton turned—and saw two more soldiers blocking the end of the hall.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” said the soldier looking through the file. “No one needs to die here.”
Chapter 101
Elliott hadn’t seen or heard anything from the authorities all day. The BioShield convoys that distributed food hadn’t come. And just like yesterday, the Rook Quantum Sciences app hadn’t prompted him to take the daily survey.