Narcisse prays with his family at dawn. Rwanda, 2005

Size: 20 x 16 inches.

Edition of 10 with two artist proofs, signed and numbered. C-Type Fuji Crystal Archive Paper.

Price upon request.

In 2005, I spent three weeks in a remote region of Rwanda photographing the vital testing regime that was saving lives amongst the rural communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

The image shows Narcisse, the chairman of his local AIDS association Girimpuhwe (‘have compassion’) at prayer with his family at dawn before they started work in their fields. Narcisse was weakened but stable on anti-retrovirals. Like all of those with the virus, Narcisse had little choice but to continue to work. I remember a very quiet and dignified man who, through his organisation, saw his mission to sensitise and reassure others about the condition.

The work was part of one of the most important photographic projects on the virus, Positives Lives - responses to HIV & AIDS. The project was a joint initiative between my (then) agency, Network Photographers and the Terrence Higgins Trust. Funded in partnership by the Levi Strauss Federation, the Elton John Foundation and in this case assisted by CARE International, you can read more about the project on the World Press Photo Foundation.

The work has been widely published and the reportage from which this image is part - Rwanda - Facing the Virus - was the recipient of the Amnesty Award for Photojournalism in 2006.