Ellen the HBC Volunteer Caring for Felesita

Felesita is a 48 year old widow living in Mtandile.  Felesita’s husband died in 2001 after a lengthy struggle with both TB and cancer. Because they had no children, Felisita was left alone.

In 2003, Felesita discovered she was HIV positive and had developed AIDS.  She managed to survive until June of 2007 when she became very, very sick. It was at this time that Ellen, one of the Home-Based Care volunteers in Mtandila found Felista.  By this time Felista had lost a lof of body weight and was suffering from a severe attack of malaria as well as the affects of HIV/AIDS.  Ellen was able to take Felesita to the doctor who immediately started her on anti-retro viral drugs for her AIDS. However, within one month of Felista starting her AIDS medication both her legs became paralyzed.  She has not walked for more than two years.

While Felista’s church is providing some help for her, it is the Somebody Cares Home-Based Care workers that are her primary caregivers. Ellen, the volunteer that found Felesita, cares for her every day. She washes Felestia’s blankets, bathes her and cleans her house each day.  Felestia has no relatives in Mtandila, so she lives and sleeps alone. Without Ellen, she would be completely alone most days.

Felesita is happier than she has been in a long time because she has someone who cares for her. Ellen is the closest thing she has to a family. Ellen, who is 25 years old, is like the daughter she never had. Through her selfless service, Ellen is the hands and feet of Jesus, living out the scriptures that say:

I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:36-40