World AIDS Day 2017: renewed hope for Ruth
From Christian Aid Kenya
There are more than 2.6 million orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. Nearly half of these children were orphaned by HIV and AIDS. (Last available data from the 2012 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey.)
As well as losing their parents, many of these children are also infected with HIV, and most of them have no access to antiretroviral therapy. Despite advances in treatment, HIV remains the leading cause of death for young people (aged 10–19) in Africa.
World AIDS Day, 1 December 2017
The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘my health my right’. It is a theme that resonates with Christian Aid’s work in Kenya and one of our flagship programmes, funded by USAID— The Comprehensive Assistance, Support and Empowerment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CASE-OVC) programme.
We’re aiming to support 170,000 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in 18 counties in Kenya. Find out more about the CASE-OVC programme here.
The role of grandparents
Ruth Munini Mutungi and her four grandchildren are beneficiaries of the CASE-OVC programme. At age 60 she is the sole provider for her household, after she lost her daughter to HIV six years ago.
‘When my daughter came back home to stay with me, she was unwell. I later came to discover that she was HIV positive. Luckily, her children were not infected.’
Getting children back to school
Grandparents and the elderly are increasingly being called on to care for orphaned children and the physical and financial strain is considerable. As part of this work, we’re ensuring that Ruth’s grandchildren’s school fees are taken care of.
We will also help Ruth find opportunities, when possible, to ensure she is financially independent.
Hope for the future
Phyllis Kanini, Ruth’s eldest granddaughter, who is currently in secondary school, has dreams of pursing a degree in communications and journalism. With the help of the CASE-OVC programme, Phyllis and her siblings stand a better chance of achieving their career ambitions.
Ruth also has ambitions of growing her kitchen garden and increasing her livestock, so she can sell the extra vegetables she harvests and the offspring of her livestock.
‘I am looking forward to getting a water tank, which will enable me to grow a variety of crops in my kitchen garden.’
As we mark World AIDS day we remember those, like Ruth’s daughter, who have lost their lives to HIV and AIDS, and those they leave behind who have lost parents, children and loved ones.
Find out more
- Our CASE-OVC programme — helping orphans and vulnerable children
- Christian Aid’s work on health
- Christian Aid in Kenya
