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In the last decade, poverty has collided with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa taking millions of lives and leaving millions more orphans. The devastating consequences of this deadly combination are overwhelming and impersonal as they do not tell the stories or show the faces of the people behind the statistics. In this personal narrative, the author describes her experience of living in Zambia for nine months. There, she came face-to-face with the effects and realities of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and poverty in Africa. It was a time of personal growth and awareness, as well as a confirmation of her reasons for pursuing a career in social work. There is also background research included about the problems facing sub-Saharan Africa. This book educates about the vast needs in Africa and how Africans are affected by the prevalent social problems. This book is also important to the field of social work specifically in Zambia and Zimbabwe as there is very little information available about the problems these countries are facing and how to help them.

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Erin N. Hartzell, MSW: Studied Social Work at California State University, Long Beach Emphasis on Child, Youth, and Families. Worked as Adoptions Social Worker. Community Coordinator Volunteer at Overland Missions, Livingstone, Zambia.

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