Equipping poor families with HIV/AIDS life skills

Dear friends,

As the world marked Orphans Day today, GEMINI was reflecting on the future of hundreds of orphaned children living in abject squalor, unsure of what tomorrow brings.

This is the story of 4-year old Nancy. Her father passed away last year and the mother early this year. She was left in the care of her 89-year old grandmother, together with 7 other children.

Like  the over 1.5million children orphaned by HIV/Aids in Kenya, Nancy faces a bleak future. Her pre-school education is uncertain. Attending primary school looks like a dream. Secondary school? Maybe never.

Her grandmum says its been difficult to meet all her childhood expectations. "I'm still scared what I would do should she develop one of these complicated diseases," says Mama Nekesa, as she pats the head of another orphan. "I thank God she has good health."

Despite her failing health, Mama Nekesa keeps on accepting the difficult responsibility of taking care of orphans. Only 2 of her 6 children are still alive. Most of them have succumbed to the disease.

"Sometimes I feel I have no strength to go on but somehow food finds itself on our table," she adds, a little smile forming at the corner of her mouth.

GEMINI seeks to equip elderly grandparents, provide them with social skills to enable them face the challenges of modern parenting. We also help them acquire food security through small scale farming, poultry keeping and sheep rearing.

With your support, we will be able to provide a more solid foundation for Nancy and other orphans. We are currently running a special campaign to acquire seeds and fertilizers for some of the grandmothers and other vulnerable families.

Your help will be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks so much for all who have continued to extend their moral and financial support to GEMINI. We certainly appreciate it!

Wishing you all the best,

Stella