Face to Face

Face to Face: Children of the AIDS Crisis in Africa offers a moving portrayal of life in Africa in the shadow of HIV/AIDS. It combines photography and narrative to capture the hopes and joys, struggles and sorrows of orphaned children left to survive on their own, often caring for younger siblings. It pays homage to the care-giving grannies, the little-known heroes of Africa, who have kept families together as traditional social networks collapse. It also presents some of the special challenges faced by children who are living with HIV. Finally, the book profiles some of the activists -- the energetic people working at the grassroots level to help restore the well-being of thousands of children and families affected by the epidemic.

See Congresswoman Anna Eshoo's official tribute to Karen and Ruthann for their "extraordinary work" on the book.

See articles and reviews about the book.

"One of the most tragic and insidious costs of AIDS is the price paid by children, who lose parents, protection and opportunities for the future. These beautiful faces will remind you of children you love. And their stories show what¹s possible when we care enough to stand up for them." -- Helene D. Gayle MD, MPH, President and CEO, CARE USA

"We must be grateful to special people like Ande and Richter, who, recognizing the importance of the issue of AIDS orphans in Africa, refused to look away. This book can be an inspiration to all, reminding us that we live in a rather small and fragile global village, requiring all the help we can give to those in need." -- Frank Espada, award-winning documentary photographer