Guardian Camera Club: Chris Ditchburn's portfolio

Calina. October 2012. Cernavoda and Bucharest, Romania. "They helped build the coffin and clean the body". Visiting St Laurence, I met ten people who have been brought up with the charity, Children in Distress. They contracted HIV in the 1980s. Infected blood was used as a nutritional supplement without an understanding of the risk of Aids. Dirty needles were also used. Over the years many, like the group, ended up in state and charity care. The charity worked with a range of local authorities and international agencies to keep them alive in a background of corruption. As the years passed, it became clear that these children were going to live due to an improvement in antiretroviral treatment. The survivors now live together in three houses. Presented are a series of portraits of the young people who still live there Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr

Malina Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr

Alina Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr

Adela Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr

Andreea, Livia, Silvia and Adela Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr

Petre Photograph: Chris Ditchburn/Flickr