Archive for March, 2009

Angelina

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Angelina Gondwe’s life has been changed by the work of a Home-Based Care volunteer.  In 2004, Angelina’s mother was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In a few months she died. Her mother’s sister, Sara, began taking care of her, but Angelina was constantly getting sick. Sara took her to the hospital and Angelina was found to be HIV positive at the tender age of three. Orphaned and HIV positive, life did not look like it had hope. Sara and her husband lived from selling the food they could grow on a small piece of land – so they barely had enough food and money to care for themselves – never mind Angelina. 

But Angelina’s life changed when Mary, a Home-Based Care volunteer found Angelina and her family. Now Angelina is receiving food aid in the form of fortified porridge, dehydrated soup, sugar and other supplies. Angelina began taking anti-retro viral drugs 3 years ago. Today the Home-Based care program is helping Angelina and her Aunt Sara with the transportation needed to get her monthly supply of medication. Before Somebody Cares stepped in, Angelina and her Aunt Sara would walk 12 miles to the hospital to get her ARVs.

Angelina’s health has greatly improved with the support she and her aunt and uncle are receiving through the Home-Based Care program of Somebody Cares.  Angelina attends the early childhood education program offered by Somebody Cares in the Mgona Feeding Center. She is an energetic and happy young girl who helps her aunt with chores around the house and constantly smiles even though her 7 years on earth has been marked with such adversity.

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