When her daughter died while giving birth, Haregewoin sank into a deep, reclusive depression, reatreating from the world and involving herself only in the church. But when the priests brought her two children, AIDS orphans, she took them in, and found a new reason to live as she watched them grow strong, happy and healthy. This was only the beginning. As the AIDS crisis grew, more orphans arrived at the doors of Haregewoin's compound: dying parents brought emaciated children to her, begging for her help. Against common sense, against the limits of her bank account and bedrooms, she did not refuse. In the face of the brutal statistics of the deepening AIDS crisis, Haregewoin expanded her compound, started a scholld and daycare system and a shelter for sick mothers.