Whole communities and powerful individuals were opposed to the building of London Lighthouse, but since it opened in 1988 it has provided a sanctuary for men and women facing the challenge of HIV and AIDS. This is Marina Cantacuzino's story of how she enrolled as a volunteer at the Lighthouse and discovered a community created out of crisis. There are funny, sad, dangerous and frustrating moments in a story of metamorphosis, as the author's perceptions and understanding of the issues evolved.