School Fees for AIDS Orphans

It's always exciting for us to receive updates on the children in our program.  Even better if they send us photographs!   Meet Dina who was enrolled in our program back in 2010.  She was ill for some time before she was taken to the hospital.  Dina was then tested and diagnosed HIV+.  Being born in a family of seven children, and the only one with the virus, made it very difficult for Dina.  There were follow ups and psychosocial support for the family to help them accept her diagnosis.  

Dina later joined support groups where she learned so many new things and made new friends.  She shared her diagnosis and found many of her new friends were also HIV+.  This motivated Dina and she took on a whole new outlook on life!  Many years have now passed and her current viral load is undetectable. She lives with her both parents who are extremely supportive.  He mother stays at home to care for their home and the children, and her father works to ensure her basic needs are met. 

Through the educational support AFCA has provided, Dina is now in college for Early Child Development.  She scored well during the last term, and is working at St. Mary's Academy where she can practice her skills.  Dina is quite motivated!  This hands on training is extremely valuable and Dina considers it a great blessing.  Dina is grateful for your support as she continues with her studies to achieve her dreams.

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org

As the holidays approach, we extend our sincere thanks for your support this year.  Your support of our school program is so important in our work with HIV+ infected children and youth.  I would like to share a special event our youth experienced this year.

Youth enjoyed a trip to Galaxy Voi Resort where they met with youth from three other facilities.  This was a joyful moment for them as they interacted with each other.  They were able to share their experiences and the challenges they face being HIV+.  Our youth had fun!  It helped each of them to see himself /herself as important and one who should live his life fully as there many people living with the HIV+ virus.  Some of the youth have even volunteered to be the peer mentors in the facility!

During the visit, the youth had time to be in groups and share their challenges and successes in life. Many of the youth have been able to live their life positively.  Most of them have been able to attend school at the primary, secondary, universities and also vocational training levels.  They were given time to discuss the challenges they face going forward.  Some of these challenges include:

-Time management

-Fear of disclosure

-Stigma

-Discrimination by friends

-Lack of support by the family members

-Being rejected as they want to enter into a relationship after they disclose their status to their partners

-Fear of asking permission for apppointments and bosses asking questions about their sickness

Consider how difficult it must be to face these challenges at such a young age.  Your generosity is making a difference in lives of these children and young adults.  Thank you for supporting our work!  As you make your end of the year giving decisions, please keep us in mind so we can continue helping children in 2017 and beyond.  We wish you the best year ever, full of every blessing and happiness imaginable, knowing you are a hope-giver.  If you'd like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

Let me introduce you to Zara, a child who was enrolled in our program in 2010.  She was diagnosed HIV+ after the death of her mother.  Zara now lives with her aunt who has always been supportive, even though caring for Zara can be challenging.  A home visit was done for pyschosocial support for Zara and her family.  Through the support of her family, she was able to join kids club where health talks are done.  These talks were very helpful in understanding her health needs.  Zara is also an active member of the youth support group at the facility.

Through the support of our education program, Zara is in class five at the academy.  She is bright and did extremely well on her last exam.  Zara's health is good, which gives her the opportunity to study hard and achieve her goals.

Your continued support of our education programs has made all of this possible for Zara and the other children in our programs.  Thank you for caring for these young lives.  You have blessed them beyond measure!

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org.

I'm in Africa visiting our programs this summer.  I'm so pleased to share updates with you right from the field.  I was in Mombasa for several days and visited Furaha, a girl whose been in the program for many years. At 17, she finished high school and is now in tailoring school.  We want to support her throughout this difficult transitional time, as she needs to get a skill and start putting it to use if she is going to break the cycle of poverty.  I walk into a poorly lit sewing school where 20 girls are learning how to sew.  The low hum of voices is heard over the hum of treadle machines as we arrive for an unplanned visit.  The teacher is walking through the tables, looking at work being done.

Suddenly, she stands up and says, “Tanya!” in such a tender way, it brings tears to my eyes and we wrap our arms around each other.  I am touched that she remembered me so quickly, even though I would know her anywhere.  She's been in our program since she was 8, so she is family to me. We hug for a while and I am so glad to see her.  She looks well and she is proud of getting a skill. She shows me a pair of shorts she made and when i hold the up to my waist, all the girls break out laughing.   I encourage her to keep going, to do well, to excel in what she does and I find myself promising her a sewing machine if she completes the highest course so that she can start a business.  It will take her three years to get a diploma and let her know how proud we are of her to embark in this career. As I encourage her not to give up, I know I am asking for much as every single day, she must make the decision between eating lunch or taking a bus to school.  Sometimes she doesn’t have the 20 cents required for the bus, so she misses school, but she assures me she will do her best, which is all we want from and for her.

(I'm unable to upload photos from the field, as internet access has been spotty.  We will upload a photo of Furaha when Tanya return to the USA.)

Let me introduce you to Richard and Audrey, a set of siblings in our program.  Their father, Joseph, has been down for some time and is receiving treatments through our partnership.  His days are long and he feels sad that he is not able to meet the day to day needs of his children.  Joseph stuggles to find his own strength to meet the requirements of his treatments.  It's a difficult life when you are alone and caring for your children, but Joseph and his family feel your love.

Thanks to your donations to support our school fee project, Richard and Audrey are thriving in spite of Joseph's struggles.  Both siblings are doing well.  They feel good and they love school.  Richard is an active member of the junior teens support group.  He attended a workshop and was very grateful for the opportunity.  Richard is now in class 8 and Audrey is in class 5.  They have met all the school requirements and they understand your financial support makes it all possible. 

Please know that your generosity is truly making a difference in the lives of these two children and many more in our program.  With our partners on the ground, the children and their families receive the support and monitoring they need to make this a very successful project.  We are changing lives day after day.  Richard and Audrey feel your love, and do we at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org.