Three weak generations!
Mastidia Damian is a widow and 47 years old. She is a mother of 6 children by two husbands. The two children from her second marriage are Stephen, 11 and Jasinta, 10. Mastidia takes care of these two plus her 18 years old son, Victor the last born in her first marriage.
Mastidia´s 2nd husband died of AIDS in 1998. She herself started getting severe stomach pain in December 2003, and was consequently admitted in hospital for several weeks where she got tested for HIV. In January, two days after her discharge from hospital she started having an irritating cough which was followed by continuous vomiting. She got very ill, was readmitted in hospital and came out very weak. She has been bedridden at home since January and is on constant medication. However, because of her health condition she could no longer live on her own with her children. She moved into her father´s home for better care. The two boys are living alone in their mother´s home and the daughter, Jasinta is living together with her mother in her grandfather´s home.
Mastidia´s father Damian is 79 years old. He is a widower and he is suffering from rheumatic pains especially in his legs. As such he is also dependent on others for help. He is caretaker of two grandchildren, orphans of his son. These are Sylivester 17 years old (class IV) and Sylcheria, 15 years old.
Mastidia´s sister Winifrida has temporarily moved into her father´s home in order to take care of both him and Mastidia. Otherwise, she is a married woman with her own family.
Mastidia´s worry is that the house in her plot might fall and harm the children since it is falling down.
HUYAWA provides moral support and healthcare support to Mastidia. Maybe later, if money is available, HUYAWA will help with a new house.
The grandchild, Meshack
Meshack Lameck is 12 years old. He was an only child of his parents who died of AIDS in 1997 and 2002 respectively. When his mother died two years ago, he moved in with his grandparents who are very loving and concerned with Meshack welfare. Before her death, Meshackr´s mother had started preparing for building a solid house. Brick making, was underway and the old house has completely fallen down.
Meshack´s grandfather Paul is 86 years old his grandmother Estheria is 79 years old. She is suffering from arthritis. Besides taking care of Meshack, they are taking care of a 3 years old great granddaughter who was a abandoned by her mother.
This couple has a very huge plot which they are not able to maintain well anymore. Meshack does any manual work that needs to be done around the home. Before he leaves for school every morning, he leaves food, water and firewood in readiness for the grandmother who can not lift anything.
However, she is able to make food but since neither she nor her husband can lift the pan from the stove, they wait for Meshack to come from school (around 4 pm) and dish out the food.
After lunch, Meshack usually collects firewood, fetches water and food.
He helps to prepare the evening meal. On weekends, he spends time fetching enough water and firewood for the weekend. After Sunday service, he prepares for Mondays. For Meshack, playing time is when he is going to fetch/collect water and firewood. Oooh Yes! And when he is at school.
Meshack´s grandparents were blessed with 4 children after 20 years of marriage; two sons and two daughters. The daughters are married and live far away. One son, Meshack´s father died in AIDS, followed by his wife.
It was this son and his wife who concerned with the welfare of their parents. They took care of them, made sure sugar, salt soap and kerosene were available and even helped with farm maintenance.
The remaining living son and his wife can taken even a week without saying hallo to their parents, and they live very near. Had these cared, Meshack´s childhood would be a happy one and his grandparents´ old age would be a tolerable one!
HUYAWA is close to this family through regular visits, moral support and support with Meshack´s schooling and other social needs.
A widow living in doubts
Jessica Elias is a 32 years old widow. She is a mother of three children; Elieth 10, in class III, Jasper 5 and Edina 3. Her husband died of AIDS on Christimas day, 2003, after a longtime illness of 5 years . That was before the birth of the two youngest children. (Jessica believes that he died of diabetes although she acknowledges that it could have been AIDS).
Jessica was wife number two. The husband had no children by his first marriage. He was a teacher and had worked for 20 years. However, he owned no property – land plot or shamba. They lived in his mother´s plot (which is now disputed over by his younger brothers). Jessica´s mother in-law has advised her to buy her own property. Jessica is buying time until the pension process comes through. In the meantime, she has no cash to even consider buying one. She says that if her husband´s brothers become too aggressive, she will have to ask for a grace period, pending the arrival of the pension check. (the procedure of getting pension of a dead employee can take up to 4 years)
Although Jessica´s brother´s in-law are rather aggressive, her 2 sisters in- law and mother in law are supportive. Jessica´s chief problem is lack of cash with which to buy basics like sugar, kerosene, salt etc – for her children´s needs.
The 2nd child, Jasper is sickly and suspect of HIV/AIDS. The mother has been counselled by HUYAWA staff and is wiling to be tested for HIV.
HUYAWA is there for this family and will pay transportation for Jessica´s visit to hospital for testing.
A Child living with AIDS
Gaudencia is one lucky orphan to have such relatives. She is 16 years old (though one cannot tell from her stature) Her parents died of AIDS in 1995 (mother) and 1997 (father). She is the only remaining child of 7 siblings, 4 of who died of AIDS.
Gaudencia is not well. She has AIDS. She has always been frail. In September 1998 she developed TB and she was admitted in hospital for 8 months. That was when her uncle decided to have her tested for HIV as she had other kinds of suspicious symptoms.
Gaudencia is schooling was always interfered with because of he ill health, as she was often very sick. She completed primary education in 2002. She could not go on with skill training (which she would have liked to do) because she needs constant care.
Her closest relatives are her uncle, Sweetbert (35) and his family. They are very caring and concerned indeed! Her uncle buys medicine for her. When Gaudencia gets admitted in hospital, his wife, Consolata stays with her.
Although her parents left two huge plots, Gaudencia is not able to do any heavy work. They are therefore unkempt. Sweetbert has enough work with his own family´s plot.
Gaudencia is not a talkative child. She knows that she is frail and often sick, but she does not know that she has AIDS. She should be allowed to keep on with her dreams. As long as she has space for dreaming, she will be able to live positively, thanks to the wonderful caring relatives!
HUYAWA is behind this family all the way.
A child living with a “Good Samaritan”
Revelian Moris is a 14 years old orphan. He is in class IV. His father died when Revelian was 2 years old. His father had no own property. Soon after, his mother abandoned the child and her whereabouts are unknown. A kind elderly neighbour, Laurencia took Revelian into custody. She brought him up and helped him to go to school.
Sometime in April 2004 Laurencia fell ill. A close friend of hers, Saverina came back to the village, to her dead husband´s plot for the purpose of taking care of Laurencia. Laurencia died in May 2004 and Saverina (64) automatically assumed the role of caretaker and guardian. Another Good Samaritan. What a blessing!!!
The late Laurencia willed her small plot to Revelian, quite a unique event! However, the question is whether any of her relatives will claim the plot as their own. HUYAWA is alert in case. Moreover HUYAWA is looking into the possibility of buying a bigger plot for Revelian for when he gets 18 years.
HUYAWA will continue to support Revelian with schooling.
A child – headed family
The children lived an their own between September 2003 and April 2004 taking care of themselves and their schooling. In April 2004, their uncle´s family volunteered to prepare their meals so that when those in school came home; there would be food for them.
Aliadina and three siblings to go school. She attends Secondary school while the others are in primary school. Aliadina is in her 2nd year.
When they come home from school in the afternoons, they work in their plot with weeding, cleaning and planting foodstuff. In the evening, they do their homework and self – study although this is hampered by lack of enough kerosene for the oil lamps.
At night, the three oldest siblings sleep in their home, while the two youngest sleep at their uncle´s place.
It is wonderful that these children´s relatives are concerned about them.
They care and are always there for them. Currently, their 19 years old cousin, Restuta is sleeping with them in the home until September when she has to leave again.
Aliadina´s education is paid for with her father´s pension, which her father´s friend helped secure for them before their mother died. The money is in the bank and a second signatory is needed nor when the mother is dead.
HUYAWA supports the children with school uniforms, bedding and soap. The 9 year old boy shows symptoms of AIDS. The plan is therefore to have him tested for HIV.
