The new HIV Specialist at DeKalb Community Service Board, Askia Abdul-Rahman, began doing HIV testing in mid-March. Less than two months later, on May 13, he had his first positive result. He was prepared; he had already established a connection with the local Department of Public Health, but “It was sort of a shock; I didn't expect to get one so quickly,” says Askia.

His background is unusual. He has a degree in bio-psychology and was a lab technician – doing viral load testing for hepatitis, dengue fever, malaria, and HIV. Prior to the pandemic, he spent 14 months in South Africa in the Peace Corps doing HIV testing – giving results and counseling through an interpreter.

“I love that interaction with people,” says Askia. “Humans are social beings; social interaction is how we learn. And I learned a lot about compassion and humility in South Africa, from someone unexpected. You never know who people are until you sit down and listen to their story.”

In South Africa, Askia was rescued from a flood that killed 78 people in the village where he was serving. He was evacuated to Hatfield, a suburb of Pretoria, where he stayed in an 8 X 6 foot room for 3 months. “While I was in Pretoria,” says Askia, I met a group of men - people that might be called beggars here. Over there they call them amapara – a Zulu word that means parasites. Some appear to be on drugs; many may be infected with HIV or TB; and they are shunned by nearly everyone. But I used to sit down with them, buy them something to drink, a slice of pizza, and listen to their stories.”

Then one night, about 8 o’clock, I heading back to my little room and I was tired. It was a very low time for me. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get back to the village and at the same time not certain I was really making a difference there. I was missing home. I caught a sort of taxi that's more like a bus to the stop nearest my lodging and when I got out, I fell. I cut my face and broke my glasses – which was a big deal because I have terrible vision. I dropped my duffel bag and it tore. My clothes, my toiletries, my laptop – everything I had tumbled into the street. I gave up. I thought, ‘I’m tired; just take me back home.’”

“Someone started yelling, ‘American! American!’ I was so mad that I yelled, ‘I’m ready to go home!’" But then Askia realized that the person who was yelling was someone he knew - it was Thabang, an amapara that he had befriended. "He picked up my duffle bag and all my stuff from the street. He brought it back to me and he told me everything would be all right. But I was still angry; I argued with him, ‘No! I give up!’”

“For a while, we sat on a bench on the side of the road. Finally he said, ‘You helped me so much; you can't give up.’ Then he walked me back – maybe two thirds of a mile - to my little room. It shocked me that someone with so little cared enough about me to pick up my stuff, walk me back to my room, and encourage me to keep going.”

“But what really got through to me was him telling me that I made a difference to him. Telling me I shouldn't give up so easily. That saved me. He could have stolen all my stuff if he wanted to; I just left it there. I was tired. I was over it. But a man who was counted out of society lifted me up and made sure I would do the work I was intended to do. I know I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Thabang. He kept me from giving up on my dreams.”