Chanda's Secrets, by Allan Stratton, is a book set in an African country struggling to survive in an AIDS epidemic where the very mention of AIDS sends everyone into panic and rumors about who has it and who doesn't. Funerals are a blooming business and everyone chooses to ignore the reasons why, except for the main protagonist, Chanda Kabelo. After her father and older brothers die in a mining accident, Chanda and her mother Lilian are left with the little "blood money" the mining company gave them to compensate for their losses. In order to provide for her family, Lilian has relationships with several men at different times, one of which ends after Lilian catches him sexually molesting Chanda. As a result of her relationships, Lilian gives birth to three other children, daughters Iris and Sara, and son Soly, who all have different fathers.
When one and a half year old Sara dies from a disease which causes her to wail consistently and uncontrolably from the pain the blisters all over her body cause her, Lilian is grief-stricken and sixteen-year-old Chanda is left caring for her family. Chanda shows remarkable courage and strength as she fights against everything her mother, family members, and neighbors would rather keep secret. She continues to be friends with Esther, regardless of the rumors that Esther has AIDS.
Chanda is burdened with secrets, and is caught between ignoring the issues like everyone else, or doing something about it. When her mother gets sicker, thinner, and more exhausted as the time passes, Chanda is left with keeping up the household. Her teachers believe she has the intelligence to fulfill her dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, or teacher; but when her mother goes back to their hometown to settle unfinished family business, Chanda is forced to put the care of her siblings above her own desires.
Weeks pass and Chanda hears no word from her mother. When Chanda realizes Sara's father Jonah died from AIDS, she realizes her mother is suffering from the same disease. Chanda bravely returns to Tiro and brings her mother home. Back home, nobody wants anything to do with Chanda's AIDS infected household. Chanda is the only one who dares to go against the tide. She refuses to ignore the AIDS issue like everyone else. After her mother dies, she gets tested (afraid that Isaac may have given her mother the disease, and her since she was sexually abused by him). Her siblings, Esther, and Esther's siblings get tested too. Everybody's results come back negative, except Esther's. In the end, the six live together in Chanda's home hoping and praying for a cure that will save Esther.
When one and a half year old Sara dies from a disease which causes her to wail consistently and uncontrolably from the pain the blisters all over her body cause her, Lilian is grief-stricken and sixteen-year-old Chanda is left caring for her family. Chanda shows remarkable courage and strength as she fights against everything her mother, family members, and neighbors would rather keep secret. She continues to be friends with Esther, regardless of the rumors that Esther has AIDS.
Chanda is burdened with secrets, and is caught between ignoring the issues like everyone else, or doing something about it. When her mother gets sicker, thinner, and more exhausted as the time passes, Chanda is left with keeping up the household. Her teachers believe she has the intelligence to fulfill her dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, or teacher; but when her mother goes back to their hometown to settle unfinished family business, Chanda is forced to put the care of her siblings above her own desires.
Weeks pass and Chanda hears no word from her mother. When Chanda realizes Sara's father Jonah died from AIDS, she realizes her mother is suffering from the same disease. Chanda bravely returns to Tiro and brings her mother home. Back home, nobody wants anything to do with Chanda's AIDS infected household. Chanda is the only one who dares to go against the tide. She refuses to ignore the AIDS issue like everyone else. After her mother dies, she gets tested (afraid that Isaac may have given her mother the disease, and her since she was sexually abused by him). Her siblings, Esther, and Esther's siblings get tested too. Everybody's results come back negative, except Esther's. In the end, the six live together in Chanda's home hoping and praying for a cure that will save Esther.
I read this book and thought it was great! I was a little hesitant to read it because I'm typically not a "historical fiction lover" but I really got into it. The story is heartbreaking but through the trials and struggles of the characters comes strength and hope.
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