Orphans and vulnerable children: four stories of hope
Vusi's story: Barcelona Township, South Africa
Vusi is 11 years old and lives with his mother who is HIV-positive and regularly suffers from ill-health. She is a part-time domestic worker and the income she receives does not meet all their needs. Izandla Zethemba has supported them by giving food parcels, clothing and help with buying school items for Vusi. He is in Grade Four at one of the local schools and has been attending a support group for orphans and vulnerable children (Izandla Kidz) since it began at the start of 2006. Vusi enjoys coming to the support group where he can play with other children, learn new things and make new friends.
He explains, "Sometimes I come to Izandla feeling very sad because things are hard at home, but being part of the group makes me happy. I love the fun day once a month and I look forward to the Izandla leaders coming to visit me and my mother. When we are given food and they pray for us, I like to see how happy it makes my mother and it makes me very happy too."
John's story: Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya
John is an orphan aged 11 years old. His parents died of AIDS-related illnesses. John was left in the care of his grandmother, but later his aunt decided to foster him and his sister. When John developed some opportunistic infections, he and his sister both tested positive for HIV. The aunt, believing they could infect her own children, abandoned them at Kibera Christian Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, which is run by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a partner of Centre for Urban Mission.
Through his time at the Centre, John has learnt to socialise with other children and thanks to good nutritious food and regular check-ups, his health has improved. The Church, Sunday school teachers and the project workers have consistently showed him love and have encouraged and guided him. John says, "Before I came here I was very thin and emaciated but now I am healthy and fat! I hope to be a role model to others. I want to become a pilot one day".
Sarah's story: Korogocho slum, Nairobi, Kenya
Sarah is 6 years old and both her parents died from AIDS-related illnesses. She lives with her elderly grandmother in Korogocho. Sarah goes to the pre-school programme at ACK St Prisca Children's Centre, a partner of Centre for Urban Mission. Captain Aggrey Otieno, the Social Welfare Officer in the Church, says they have seen a tremendous change in her since she started coming to the Centre.
"She used to be lonely and withdrawn, but now she is happy and ready to mingle with the other children," says Captain Aggrey. "She was in poor health but has now improved tremendously. We give her meals every day and also ensure she receives treatment quickly when she falls sick."
Thanks to the programme at St Prisca's, Sarah is a happy little girl and so is her grandmother, knowing that she is well looked after every day at the Centre.
Grace's story: Hankey, South Africa
Before Grace died, she wrote to Ethembeni Community Project to thank them for their help. When Ethembeni began visiting the family, Grace's three children did not go to school because they were caring for their mother. Lindall from Ethembeni visited their school Principal and smoothed the way for the children to return. She also arranged for two care-givers to stay with their Mum during the day. They nursed and cared for Grace, sang and prayed with her, and discussed practicalities of who would care for the children in the future. She wrote down her wishes and when she died, her brother and sister-in-law moved into the home to care for them. Ethembeni still visit the children who are part of the after-care programme, which includes psychosocial support. They are also liasing with a social worker to ensure that the family receive foster care grants so they have enough money to meet the children’s basic needs.
Note: names have been changed.
