IL Postcard

Struggling 17-year-old Panamanian Inspires Book

Date: 10/10/2007

October 11, 2007

U.S. First Daughter Jenna Bush has written a book about Panama. Twenty-five-year-old Jenna began an internship with UNICEF in 2006. The internship, which enabled her to travel throughout Latin America and document the lives of the underprivileged, eventually brought her to Panama (the UNICEF regional headquarters are here, at the City of Knowledge in Panama City's Clayton neighborhood). Here, Jenna was struck by the determination of a 17-year-old HIV-positive single mother. Her name is Ana, and this is her story:

Jenna met Ana at a community support group. Ana described herself as a survivor, saying she was living with HIV—not dying from it. Jenna was impressed by Ana's resolve to have a full life. Over the next six months, Jenna met with Ana regularly, and slowly the book Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope took shape.

Ana was infected with HIV at birth—her mother died when Ana was three. As her father was ill, Ana was raised by her strict grandmother. Ana grew up never knowing her parents—forced to keep secrets about abuse she suffered at home and about her syndrome.

Later, Ana moved to a center for people with HIV. Ana says she loved school, but found teenage life difficult—especially under her circumstances. Like any teenager, she enjoyed listening to music, making friends, and meeting boys. At the center, she became close with a young man who was also HIV positive, and got pregnant.

Ana resolved that her child would have a better life and that there would be no secrets—no patterns of shame and illness to hold her baby back. Ana's story became a story of hope…for her child to break free from the cycle of poverty and disease.

According to UNICEF, some 2.3 million children worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS. Ana's Story is helping increase awareness of this in Panama and the world over. The book—geared toward teenagers—suggests practical ways for kids to make a difference. It also provides straightforward information for kids about HIV/AIDS and protection from abuse.

Find out more about the book and author Jenna Bush here.

Best regards,

Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider