Aramuson Kiyale has been an HBC volunteer for about 5 years. He works in Mgona, one of the poorest places in all of Malawi. Mgona is home to about 50,000 people — of which more than 20,000 are orphans and vulnerable children. Aramuson is one of the most dedicated and committed Home-Based Care volunteers serving with Somebody Cares.

Aramuson is married and has 4 children. In addition to taking care of his family, Aramuson also takes care of Gogo Kholowa and her grandson Masautso.  Gogo Kholowo is a 90 years old and very ill. Even though she is not Aramuson’s real grandomother, he is caring for her as if she is.

Aramuson is also caring for Masautso Kholowa, who is Gogo Kholowa’s grandson. Masautso was orphaned at a young age and has lived with Gogo Kholowa almost all of his life. Aramuson met Masautso when the boy needed to get medical attention. Masautso suffers from epilepsy and was not able to get his medication because the closest hospital was almost 5 miles away. Aramuson has been taking the young boy on his bicycle for his monthly checkups and making sure that he has enough food and the basic necessities of life.

Under the care of Aramuson, Masautso is much healthier and both Gogo Kholowa and Masautso sense God’s love and care through Aramuson. In addition, the Home-Based Care sponsorship program enables Aramuson to provide the food and clothes that Masautso and his grandmother need.

When asked why he is that committed to being a Home-Based Care volunteer, Aramuson says:

“I lost my mother at the age of 3. My father remarried and left me in the care of my step-mother. She used to beat me all the time and would starve me every time my father was not around. Tragically, when I was seven, myfather died. My step-mother took me to my father’s village and left me with my grandmother, who was 88 years old. Then I fell seriously ill and my grandmother couldn’t help. She was simply too old, too frail.But there was this certain man who used to take me to hospital on his back because there was no bike then. He would put me on his back and he would walk miles and miles to the hospital. When I see the situations of the people here in Mgona, I am reminded of that man and how he gave of himself. So, I take Gogo Kholowa as my family and Masautso as my son, because they too have no one to care for them. I surrender my life to this work because that man did the same for me. Without the help of that man, I would have surely died so it stands to reason that I do the same.”

Being a Home-Based Care worker has both joys and sorrows. But through it all Aramuson trusts in God to guide and strengthen him. Aramuson is truly a hidden hero in God’s kingdom and a true Community Champion in Mgona.

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