Maloca Media

I went to Uganda to collaborate on a study about livelihoods programming integrated into HIV and AIDS care. The capital, Kampala, is a relatively small and quiet city of a million and a half inhabitants. It is hilly (like Rome, it is said to have seven) and dusty, but does not feel claustrophobic or overpopulated. From Kampala we travelled to Soroti, one of our field sites. The AIDS Support Organization, called TASO by everyone, is one of the oldest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and support organizations in the world. TASO was one of our research partners, and we were based at the local TASO centre. Here, people living with HIV and AIDS come to receive the crucial antiretroviral treatment, as well as counselling and a range of other care and support services. One afternoon, I watched and photographed a troupe of dancers, organized by TASO. The dance troupe travels to different towns and villages, performing dances with HIV-prevention messages. Their energy and drive were amazing. Later I wandered around Soroti with my camera, just talking to people and taking photographs. I photograph most often with a 50mm or 35mm lens, and use my legs as the zoom.