Margriet Schepens (88), Overschelde — 'Wie genoeg heeft, bezit alles, dat is mijn levensmotto. Die spreuk staat al een eeuwigheid bij mij op de kast.'

De Standaard - 24/03/2009

Over the past 20 years, HIV/AIDS has spread wildly. In the rural area Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, it made an already weak society, with almost no industry and huge unemployment numbers, even weaker. A major part of the active population died, leaving thousands of orphans behind. Children growing up in a disrupted society. Traditional care from their extended family has nearly disappeared; they are the head of the family, taking care of who is left.

27th of Februari 2009, Engozini, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. 5 am in the morning, the sun is rising, Ntombi is waking up. She lights up the fire, prepares breakfast for her terminally ill mother. Slowly her two brothers are waking up, too. Their father died of AIDS two years ago.
The children serve their mother’s ARV treatment, seven pills a day, at exact times and with compulsory meals. The oldest brother gets to eat first and leaves the earliest. He walks an hour to school. Ntombi and her younger brother make homework, prepare for school and leave to school on an empty stomach.