Organization: Center for Digital Storytelling

Sibongile shares her story of what she and her children go through after her husband died. Inheritance laws in Swaziland exclude women, and Sibongile's story addresses this inequity. She says, "I want to counsel HIV+ women like me. This is in my heart."

Shirley shares her experience and treatment as a deaf woman after being sexually assaulted by friends that she trusted. This story was created in a CDS workshop organized by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.

Sediapelo tells her story of frustration and self-doubt after finding out she's HIV positive, and the realization she makes that gives her life a new direction.

Paul relates his experiences as a gay man in South Africa, including early trips to segregated gay bars, unity among groups of friends, and the first pride march in Johannesburg. He also talks about how stigma and silence contributed to the spread of HIV through the gay community.

When Makoti discovers his HIV positive status he feels confused, since he knows he has always practiced safe sex. Then he remembers an incident of sexual abuse when he was younger. Makoti's story shows his strength through hardships and his dedication to ending hate and discrimination.

Mabvuto tells his story of losing both his parents to AIDS, and how he and his siblings have faced many hardships as orphans. He wonders if he can be seen as more than just an AIDS orphan.