School Fees for AIDS Orphans

Rama is a quiet, friendly boy with four siblings who has been in AFCA's project for the past three years.  When we met him, he was living with his family in a very dilapidated house with rain pouring in during the wet season and mosquitos breeding as soon as the sun would come out.  Rama, his siblings and mother would take turns sleeping in their only bed and would all share a daily meal, leaving the kids hungry and Rama and the older kids unable to focus in school and daily life.

When I first met Rama, he was withdrawn and hungry and grabbed the banana and boiled I offered him out of my hand.  I thought he was going to eat it all in one gulp, but instead, he broke the bananas into pieces and shared them and the eggs with the others.  When I asked Rama if he'd like to return to school, he smiled a shy smile and said he would.  His mom said it was impossible due to the costs involved, but we assured her that it was ok and that there was a school that wanted him to attend.  You see, the counselor in the clinic where Rama attends knew that he is special.  She knew that with a little help, the kids in this family could do well because they are bright and eager to learn.  They just needed a little help.

So, that summer, a team of volunteers worked with the community and Rama's family to fix their home, providing them with a two-roomed home with a good roof, beds, mosquito nets, and sturdy walls.  The kids now all have a safe place to study and they are enrolled in school.  Rama is in first grade at Star Academy and his teacher reports that he is a clever boy and doesn't want to miss any classes.  He also attends kids' support group and likes interacting with others.

Thank YOU so much for changing this boy's life, friends.  Thank YOU for helping his siblings, too, to have hope and the ability to go to school.  Thank YOU for giving his mom something to smile about every day when she sees her kids excelling at something they love.

YOU are changemakers.