Widows and Orphans

Amazing day today - home rather tired - visiting the programs for AIDS victims and carers - mainly widows, grandmothers, children - they have support groups for them as well as a school for 20-30 children with AIDS who can't go to a normal school. Is a really worthwhile place. They make their own soap, yoghurt, donuts and sewing to sell to try to raise a little money to support themselves but are educated as carers and parents how to deal with children and stop the spread of AIDS.
We then went to a "slum area" of a village where there are women who make money by selling illegal home-made beer and some prostituting themselves as well. They really want to get out of this business but don't have any other way of making money. Joy and I are working on ways they can start a business or something to make money for their kids to go to school and to feed them. Many have children and their husbands have left them, and some even having to look after grandchildren as well. Heart-wrenching day when you want to help but sometimes are not sure how to in the best way.

He was the most gorgeous little boy, but HIV+ - they give them vegetable juice as often as they can and especially if they see them a little down - all are on Anti Viral medication which helps, but doesn't cure



This one was so cute - I couldn't resist a hug

The "grandmothers" club - one was HIV+ but was still looking after her grandchildren - all were looking after children mainly because their children had died and they had to look after the grandchildren - or the children were abandonded - many were widows as well

Sad little face but we gave him a jumper to keep warm - even though it was for babies and a little tight - notice the tatty shorts - he was being raised by a grandmother - with no income

Group of children they have in a school at the Centre who are neglected, orphans or HIV+ or are being raised by grandparents - little boy in front smiling is 11 years old and very sick with HIV - he looks about 6

A little girl we just gave some vege juice too and gave her a little jumper knitted for new born babies - but it fits her - will keep her chest warm - she is HIV+



Walking up the "street" where the little hovels are to sell the illegal beer

Some of the little hovels where they sell the beer to make money to feed their families and put children in school. This lady is looking after 2 of her own children an 2 grandchildren born to unwed daughters - they have no other way of making money to feed the children and put them in school - am trying to get a sewing machine for this lady so she can get a little business going and all the ladies can use it and help themselves

These are some of the ladies who want to change their lives and stop selling the illegal beer - they need help to make money in other ways - the one on the right is a hair dresser and just needs a hairdryer and a little equipment to get her started - am hoping I can help with this.

A girl coming home from school in the slum or very poor area of a village - note her shoes and dress are very tattered and worn out

Much of the work is still done with the donkey's pulling very heavy carts of cargo. They are on the roads everywhere in town and out of town - this is a poor village out of Nairobi