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Tumaini House in Kenya Reaches Out to HIV-Positive Children
Kenya is in the midst of battling an unexpected challenge in its efforts to bring down the rate of HIV/AIDs in the East African country. The country has made progress in increasing access to care and treatment for adults. However, about 102,000 children under the age of 14 are HIV-positive, and about 60,000 of those young people lack access to the anti-retroviral drugs that help prolong life. Thirteen people from across the United States who were participating in a “People-to-People Pilgrimage” recently visited the Tumaini Children’s Home to see the work of those who sponsor the project. The pilgrimage was coordinated by Global Ministries, a common witness of the Division of Overseas Ministries, of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Wider Church Ministries of the Church of Christ. Those on the trip had the opportunity to visit a variety of sites in East Africa that illustrated how mission dollars from the around the world can help to bring peace, social justice and hope to parts of Africa. The trip also included two days spent in Zanzibar. Tumaini is the Swahili word for “hope,” which was evident in the atmosphere of both staff and students at the home, located about 20 kilometers from the capital city of Nairobi. The home was started in 2000 by the Women’s Guild of St. Andrew’s Church in Nairobi, part of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), a long-standing partner of Global Ministries. Initially, the Guild came to the area to aid orphans and disadvantaged children with fees and living expenses. But it was soon felt that a facility was needed to address the many physical, emotional and educational needs of the orphans, the majority of whom have lost parents to HIV/AIDS. “We have no regular income for the home’s operations,” noted Grace Wanjaija, treasurer of the St. Andrew’s Women’s Guild, who led the visitors on a tour of the home. “Our members and the PCEA give money, as well friends and neighbors from the U.S. So far, the Lord has been gracious and effective.” Presently five children live at the home, with a waiting list of at least 20 more children. Schooling takes up the majority of the day for the children, who ranged in age from five to 12 on this visit. The home includes a library, study rooms and areas for recreation. A doctor visits once a week and more comprehensive care is provided at the national hospital. Children as young as three can live at the home, although it lacks the facilities to care for infants and toddlers. Also no policy exists at this time for those older than 13. Those with living family members are encouraged to maintain contact with their relatives, and to visit with them as often as possible. Wanjaija noted that a key issue in improving the lives of children at the home is the availability of life-saving medications. The government provides free anti-retroviral drugs for HIV-positive children up to the age of five, but that still leaves out many young people. “The issue on the continent of Africa is access to drugs,” said Wanjaija. “Lack of access becomes a human rights issue.” She spoke softly of the children that have died at the home as she told stories of those who have lived at the orphanage. Typically the anti-retroviral drugs for HIV-positive persons such as the children at the home are unavailable because of the prohibitive cost. Despite the challenges, Tumaini House staffers and volunteers continue to faithfully serve this unique population. A successful fundraising campaign has allowed for the construction of a larger dormitory on land adjacent to the project that will allow the facility to help more children. “Our emphasis nationally is to care for children and their families,” said Wanjaija. “We support many of our projects with special offerings, which presents challenges, but we have no plans to stop our work, only continue it.” To read more about the Tumaini Children’s Home in Ngong and ways you can support the project, visit the Global Ministries website at: http://www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=409&Itemid=28 By: Wanda Bryant Wills, |
(October 19, 2007 – DNS) - The lilting voices of young children singing “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” for a group of visitors would typically not be unusual. But for these five children at the Tumaini Children’s Home in Ngong, Kenya, the song takes on special meaning because each of them is not only orphaned, but HIV-positive.