Odessa, Ukraine: Alexei is a drug addict with full-blown AIDS. Because of the intense stigma against IV-drug users in his area, there is almost no help or information about HIV/AIDS given to those most at risk. He talks about trying to stay alive so he can educate people to avoid the choices he has made.


San Francisco, USA: Kegan was infected with HIV during college when she had unprotected sex with many partners. Living with her HIV negative roommate, the two talk about how much ignorance there is about how AIDS is transmitted and the shame she struggles with daily.


Amsterdam, Holland: Henk is a gay man who suspects he has been infected after a condom breaks during sex. As he awaits the results of his HIV test, he talks about his fear that this one encounter could change his life and about how proper, safe condom use is the only way to have good sex.


Sao Paulo, Brazil: Valeria was infected with HIV through unprotected sex. In a country where the leading cause of death among women in their 20's is AIDS, she and others talk about how people think being in love means no need for condoms and the other misconceptions about safe sex.


Calcutta, India: Gita is a prostitute who also works in for an outreach program. She spends her free time distributing condoms and educating other sex workers about safe sex. Although it means she doesn't make as much money, she talks about how insisting on safe sex is how she tries to make a difference.


Lusaka, Zambia: Matthew contracted HIV from unprotected sex with his girlfriend. When he found out he was HIV positive and that she had died he wanted to kill himself, but now Matthew is trying to find hope and a new outlook on life.

Dominican Republic: Fanny, 24, was infected with HIV by her former husband. Ostracized by her community, she was even forced by the doctor to cut her own umbilical cord during childbirth. Unable to find work because of her status, she speaks of the blatant discrimination she must endure every day.


Virginia, USA: Shawn, 24, is an HIV positive hemophiliac. Living with his HIV negative partner Gwen, he is able to have an intimate relationship by practicing safe sex. As Shawn's health fluctuates, he and Gwen discuss the various affects of medication on his mind and body.


Thailand: Jane, 24, sells her body to support her family. Over the years, she has had unprotected sex with young Western tourists traveling through Asia. Jane talks about her efforts to be safe and how she risks her life for money on a daily basis.


Moskow, Russia: Alyssia, 24, is a heroin addict. She is trying to quit doing drugs with the help of her boyfriend. As she gets tested, they talk about how her drug use and the things she did to get money for drugs put her at risk for HIV.


Paris, France: Guillaume, 19, contracted HIV within his first 6 months of living in the city. Naïve about HIV, AIDS and safe sex, he had unprotected sex with more than 250 men in that time. Wishing he had been better informed, he speaks about people's responsibility to educate and protect their partners.


Kampala, Uganda: Sandra, 23, has been infected with HIV for eight years. Starting to show symptoms of full-blown AIDS, she cannot afford the anti-retroviral drugs that can help her stay healthy. She and a friend, who also suffers from AIDS, discuss how though drugs maybe available, the excessive cost makes them inaccessible to many Africans.

Washington, DC, USA: Kontar became infected with HIV during a casual encounter with someone who "didn't look HIV positive." Now an active volunteer at two different AIDS organizations, he talks about the need to educate people of every sexual orientation about the dangers of AIDS.


Stockholm, Sweden: John contracted HIV through unprotected sex during "a pretty wild summer." Aware that he is fully responsible for not protecting himself, he speaks about how lucky he is to be in a country with excellent medical care available to HIV positive people.


Buenos Aires, Argentina: Maria Victoria, 25, works for a local AIDS organization. As her relationship with her current boyfriend got more serious, they discussed past risky behavior and got tested together. Although they are both HIV negative she emphasizes that trust does not prevent HIV, condoms do.


Snake Park, South Africa: Kefiloe,19, lost both her mother and her brother to AIDS. Working through South Africa's largest HIV prevention program, loveLIFE, she speaks to kids about her experiences and the risks of HIV.


Goa, India: Jaffer, 22, contracted HIV when he was 17 years old. Although his family completely supports him, he does not tell his friends about his HIV status. He and his family talk about the ignorance and discrimination they faced when he was first diagnosed and about how difficult life would be if his HIV status was widely known.


Perth, Australia:Shaynon, 15, tested HIV positive at the age of one His mother was not aware of her status when he was born, and he contracted HIV from mother to child transmission. Living with a foster family, he sees himself as a normal guy who happens to take a lot of medication.


Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Leap Srey is in her early '20s and contracted HIV from her husband and unknowingly passed it on to her daughter. Her husband and 3 year-old daughter have died, and Leap Srey knows she will die soon too because she cannot afford medicine.