Film Lens
The film focuses on the impact of AIDS on the fishing community around Lake Victoria in Kenya. It shows the struggles of patients in Bondo hospital, where many are in the late stages of AIDS, primarily fishermen who make up about 70% of the patients. The documentary illustrates how the jaboya system, a transactional relationship between fishermen and women fish buyers, exacerbates the spread of HIV, as sexual favors are often exchanged for fish. This system has led to a devastating loss of life, with entire families affected and many children left without parents.
The narrative unfolds in communities like DEA Island, which has seen its population drop from 6,000 to just 2,400 due to the disease. The film captures the daily realities of those living in this environment, including the emotional toll on families and the overwhelming number of bodies at the local mortuary. The film emphasizes the need for education and awareness about AIDS, as many still view it as a curse rather than a preventable disease.
Why Watch
- •See the realities of life in Bondo hospital.
- •Meet Julia, a woman navigating the jaboya system.
- •Find out how AIDS has devastated local families.
- •Witness the impact of HIV on the fishing community.
Did You Know
•In 1997, DEA Island had a population of 6,000, but only 2,400 remain.
•Around 70% of patients in Bondo hospital are fishermen who test positive for HIV.
•Many women in the fishing industry engage in sexual relationships to secure fish.
•The jaboya system creates a network of sexual contacts that spreads HIV.
•The local mortuary receives about 11 bodies daily, most from AIDS-related deaths.
Perfect For
Public health advocatesSocial justice supportersDocumentary fansFisheries industry workers