AIDS in Africa Spreading across the African continent, AIDS is killing everyone who crosses its path. “As the death toll from AIDS declines in America, Africa is recovering from an epidemic of biblical proportions. South of the Sahara, AIDS is worse than anywhere else in the world, and this catastrophe is transforming the continent forever” (Schoofs part 5). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, better known as AIDS, “is a virus that weakens the immune system and subjects the patient to opportunistic diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids, primarily semen, blood, and blood products… it can be prevented by having safe sexual intercourse… AIDS is a problem throughout the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa” (DeSalle 238). He is an impartial killer who threatens the African population. With very little education, children without parents and cultural and social beliefs, AIDS continues to devastate the African continent. “Only 10% of the world's population lives south of the Sahara, but the region is home to two-thirds of the world's population. HIV-positive people in the world, and has suffered more than 80% of all AIDS deaths”… Last year, the combined wars in Africa killed 200,000 people, and in sub-Saharan Africa alone 3.8 million people were were infected with the disease while another 2.4 million died; for a total of 25.3 million people living with AIDS in Africa (Schoofs part 1, Carey). One of the main reasons for the severity of these numbers is due to the lack of education of the African population. With little to no education, people don't truly understand the consequences of unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners. African girls are not sent to school because it is too expensive and most will marry and have children. Boys who go to school learn that they are the breadwinners of the family and that they control what happens in the home. Lack of education poses an astronomical problem in Africa and is the main reason for the spread of AIDS. Because people are not educated about birth control, they do not use condoms; those who are aware do not have access to condoms or cannot afford them. Without education or access to condoms, AIDS will continue to devastate the entire African continent. “In apartheid South Africa, blacks were not educated at all or were taught only enough to be servants.