In 1995, while married to his second wife Fanny, Grey began to get sick. He broke out in boils, but instead of going to the hospital, he spent 3 years and much money visiting witchdoctors and hoping for a cure. Fanny showed little interest in Grey after he got sick and she left him to fend for himself even though they remained married. Grey’s condition continued to deteriorate and he was reduced to a skeleton of a man. In 1999 his brother visited him and was shocked at what he found. Grey’s brother immediately took him to the hospital — where he stayed for 7 months. It was in the hospital that Grey discovered he was HIV positive. He was instantly put on ARV’s.  When Grey was discharged from the hospital, he and Fanny divorced and he moved in with his brother. A year later Grey married his third wife – Happiness.

Grey kept his HIV status from Happiness and secretly took his ARV’s. In 2001 Happiness gave birth to their first daughter, Caroline. Immediately after the birth she became seriously ill and her sister came and took her back to her home village and there they went to the hospital. Happiness discovered she was HIV positive after her sister insisted she take an AIDS test. She then asked Grey to come. When he arrived in Liwonde (Happiness’ home) he was escorted to the hospital where Happiness was admitted. The doctor spoke to him about her condition and Grey feigned surprise. Nonetheless, the doctor recognized symptoms in Grey that pointed to the fact that it was possible that he too was positive. While in Liwonde Grey got malaria and had to be admitted to the same hospital as his wife. This was when the doctor discovered Grey’s status and the fact that he had been hiding his ARV’s from his wife and secretly taking the medication. The doctor arranged for counselors to meet with Grey and Happiness and talk about their status. They were able to reconcile. Happiness, though devastated by her husband’s lies, forgave him and they returned to Lilongwe together.

When they returned they joined a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS that was headed by their local parish. There they learned a lot about the disease and later became counselors. They discovered that many of the people that were a part of their group came from Mgona – one of the poorest communities in Malawi, with one of the highest HIV infection rates in Malawi. In 2006, Somebody Cares began an  HIV/AIDS support group in Mgona. Grey and Happiness joined SC and provided leadership to this support group in Mgona.

Grey talks about how much his life has changed in the last 5 years as it was through SC that he came to know Jesus and was transformed. He hardly recognizes the man he used to be – the man who would put his family in danger just to keep a secret. He now speaks the truth to many, saving their lives by opening up his. His passion and zeal is what has made the group vote him each year as their Chairman. His wife Happiness also serves in the ministry as a teacher at the Somebody Cares Childrens Feeding Center in Mgona. She thanks God that she is alive and able to give back by caring for children.

The story of Grey and Happiness Tebulo started out as a nightmare but is now a testimony of the redemption of Jesus Christ and the life that is found in Him.

This story is about a champion of change…a woman whose heart changed the lives of those around her.

Menia Chikanda is the Chairperson of Mngwanga Recovery Support Group, she is 58 years old. Menia is a widow with six children. In 1970 she married Lutele. They lived together for 26 years. Lutele died after a long illness in 1996.

In 2005 Menia became very ill and was unable to walk and talk. Nobody in her village helped her or even took her to the hospital.

Menia and Her Daughter

After some time Menia’s daughter forced her to go to the hospital and get tested for AIDS.  Menia discovered she was HIV positive and that her husband had died of 8 years previously. Menia was fortunate, because she was able to take ARV’s, and had enough food to enable the medication to work.

As Menia began to regain her strength, she began to realize the consequences of not getting tested for HIV/AIDS. She wanted to start an HIV/AIDS Support Group in her community so she could sensitize people on the importance of getting tested for the virus. However, nobody in her village was willing to join such a group. They still believed that AIDS was caused by witchcraft.

As a result, Menia began walking 9 miles to a support group in another community. Along the way, she began encouraging people to get tested and began helping people who were HIV positive. Sometimes she carried patients on her back to the hospital which was 15 miles away. She said she did this because she wanted to prevent people from dying.

While she attended the AIDS Support Group in another community she met Foloweza Milanzi – a Home-Based Care Volunteer with Somebody Cares. Foloweza encouraged Menia and as a result of their relationship, Somebody Cares was able to begin a Support Group in Menia’s community of Mngwanga.

Today Menia is  the Chairperson of the Mngwanga HIV/AIDS Support Group. In the past three years she has seen the group grow from 26 people to over 125!

Not only has there been numerical growth, but now, in her community, it is understood that HIV/AIDS is a disease — not the result of witchcraft (as was formerly believed).

Many in Mngwangwa and the surrounding villages see Menia as their champion, their hero. She has truly become a Champion for Change and is making a huge difference in the lives of those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

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

Our second day  in Malawi we went to Mgona – the poorest area of Lilongwe.  It is here that more than 20,000 orphans and vulnerable children make their home.

As our van pulled into Mgona, several Home-Based care volunteers greeted us.  As we got off the bus, the women overwhelmed us with their enthusiastic welcome. The love and grace these women poured upon us was amazing.

We parked the van near the Feeding Center that serves as place to feed orphans, a meeting area for HIV/AIDS Support Groups and HBC volunteers and a place for early childhood education.  Our arrival distracted the children who were in school, but after a short period of time we left and “school” resumed.

Mgona consists of thousands of one-roomed mud huts without windows or doors. The roofs were of cardboard, straw, old tin, whatever material that had been salvaged.  The children played everywhere; mostly unattended by adults.  There were many children, even as young as 6 or 7, who were caring for younger siblings, carrying them on their backs.  The children were so excited to see us.  They ran behind us calling, “Azunga, Azunga, Azunga (white man, westerner, foreigner). We loved stopping and talking to the children.  They loved shaking our hands and having their pictures taken.

Our group split up into two teams. Each team had two members from our Visionledd team and three or four of the home care volunteers and a community pastor.

My team had the privilege of visiting three patients.  In the first home, we met Iznut who had just given birth to her seventh. As we entered the hut, the care workers were assisting Iznut to a sitting position.  She had been lying down on a makeshift couch, which consisted of an old couch frame that had been salvaged.  On top of the frame was a large piece of salvaged dirty foam.   With much effort and pain, Iznut sat up, but was very weak.  She motioned for us to sit on either side of her.  Iznut explained to us that since giving birth to her baby, she got very ill, her legs and feet are very painful and swollen and she is unable to care for herself or her children.  Iznut said her husband abandoned her when she became ill.  She has not heard from him.

As we sat talking with Iznut, she motioned to a blanket lying on another small chair in the room.  Again, this chair was a salvaged frame with a piece of salvaged old dirty foam.   Inside the blanket was her precious new baby girl named Ida. This 6 week old baby weighed about 4-5 pounds.  We had the pleasure of holding the baby and telling Iznut how beautiful she was.  Iznut is a believer in Jesus, however, as we talked with her, we could feel the despair in her voice concerning herself and her children.

We prayed for Iznut, her children and her husband.  She was so grateful to us for coming to pray for her.  She spoke with emotion as she thanked us for coming so far to visit her.

As we walked further into Mgona we visited Yusito.  Yusito was recently widowed and has many health problems. With swollen legs and feet he can’t get around very well.  He is being cared for by his 14 year old daughter. As we visited with him, we could tell this gentleman was grieving very deeply for the loss of his wife.  The daughter, as well, was very sad. There were no smiles on their faces today, as their grief was too great.  We spent time in prayer for Yusito, his daughter, and his family.

Our last visit was to a young woman, Rosemary.  Rosemary was HIV postive.  She has been taking medication, however, she has continued to decline in health.  Her sister and brother-in-law brought her to their home, in Mgona, to take care of her.  Rosemary accepted the Lord as Savior in 2006.  Her sister and brother-in-law are strong Christians.  Rosemary’s family greeted us very warmly as we entered their home.  Rosemary sat on a mat on the dirt floor of the hut.  She was propped up against the mud wall with a blanket wrapped around her.  She was very thin and frail, quiet and reserved.  She did not speak much but answered our questions as we talked with her.  We prayed for her and her family.  Pastor Charlie read the 23^rd Psalms and prayed for her.  As we left, Rosemary’s brother-in-law told us how grateful they were to us that we had come.  He said it was a great thing for us to come to Malawi to visit them and to please, please, please come again, as it was very much needed in the community.

As we headed back through Mgona, we walked by makeshift stands where people had set up “shop” with their goods. We saw women washing clothes in a dishpan.  We stepped over trash piled on the mounds of dirt. We went around open holes of sewage next to where children played.  We were embraced and made welcome by the women and we gave our hearts to the smiling faces of the precious children.

These beautiful African people have such a love for us.  They are so appreciative to us for coming all the way from America to pray for them.  They feel they are “chosen by God” because we do come.   They have captured my heart.

Roseta died on a cold and gloomy July 7. The next day we attended her funeral and consoled her children who were in a state of shock.  Roseta’s husband could not even afford a coffin for his wife, so Somebody Cares provided the family with a coffin and our Home-Based Care volunteers made the funeral arrangements.

As we sat in the crowded slum called Mgona with Roseta’s children, in a very real way they have something to say to each of us. They have something to say to every Christian leader in Mgona and in Malawi who has remained silent behind the safe security of their comfort zones and religion. They have something to say to every politician who blatantly lied and fed them with empty promises of development, free education, shelter, health, water and sanitation when they seek votes. They have something to say to parents who procreate without any thought to the future of their children. They have something to say to every citizen of this nation who has passively accepted the evil system of greed and corruption and who has stood on the sidelines and ignored the plight of the 65% of the population who have no voice and say in matters concerning them. I believe that these children are saying to us, that today we can no longer pretend that there is no problem in our society. We must not only be concerned about the death of their mother but also about what happens to them! This death must not anesthetize us but show us that we must work passionately and unrelentingly for the realization of improved health services and laws that protect and provide for women and their children that are being orphaned at an alarming rate.

I am a great believer in the fact that nothing just happens. God still has a way of working all things out for good and for His purposes. God is not taken by surprise but as long as we compromise our Christian standards – we have no right to preach a gospel of love and grace. These innocent children have cried out to the Lord and just as he heard Hagar’s baby, he hears Roseta’s babies.

As I was thinking about all of this I was struck by the stark contrast of Roseta’s funeral and Michael Jackson’s memorial. What a difference between the two funerals. What a difference between the words of Paris Jackson, and Esther — the 12 year old daughter of Roseta. Esther cried out, saying:

Mummy with whom have you left us? How am I going to take care of the baby? Will I be able to take care of him? Our father failed to take care of you and of us while you were alive and sick. Who is going to take care of us now? You have not done the right thing, dying and leaving us like this.

This 12 year old girl had already assumed the role of a mother. Will there be a sunrise for these children? Will there be a ray of sunshine in this place?

The Scriptures tell us that “A little child shall lead them.” Maybe – just maybe – the voices of these defenseless little children will lead this society from the barren path of man’s apathy to a place of searching, serving and separating unto God . The untimely death or Roseta may lead us into a place of helplessness and nothingness to substitute our limited vision for God’s eternal vision. As I sit up and meditate on God’s faithfulness I can truly say that inspite of this dark and blinding reality I cannot afford to despair or give up. I cannot not become despondent or apportion blame. I refuse to lose faith and continue to believe that God is forever working all things for good, and that as Christians we will and must learn to respect the dignity and worth of every human being. What can you say to these little ones that will give them any assurance of a future, let alone a life? It is virtually impossible to console them as they look blankly around seeking a familiar face, an assurance that will embrace their dilemna and give answers to the questions they keep asking as they weep for their loss. You can say very little or absolutely nothing, but hope in the Lord who does not disappoint. Children aught not to have to suffer such calamities on their own, but they do and continue to do so more often these days.

What can I say? This life is hard. In bleak and difficult moments such as these it looks like the sun will never rise! The weather itself cold, bleak and chilly speaks of the circumstances of these children. How can you tell them things will get better, that they should not despair? What assurance can you give children? You can only but travail in silence and trust God.

What then is the conclusion to all this? The children desperate, innocent, and helpless are the victims of one of the most vicious and tragic circumstances. They don’t know what the future holds for them. Will they become mere statistics like the numerous forgotten faces from the silent injustices resulting from the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

We continue to fix our eyes on God who is the author, editor and finisher of our faith. Today, I know that Rosetta who gave her life to the Lord, is with Him. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. And, just as His eyes are on the sparrow so will He watch over her Roseta’s five children.

May God’s grace continue through those who support Homebased Care workers and the Women for Orphans and Widows program (WOW) to enable us to support and take care of patients like Rosetta and these beautiful children who need to believe and experience that SOMEBODY CARES.

I was thinking of the TV Series 24 HOURS. This is what Home-Based Care,reminds me of each day.I feel somewhat like Jack Bauer – caught between trying to beat the odds but finding so much up against us !!!!

What you are about to read is the story of Roseta. Telling you about Roseta is one of the most difficult things I have ever written.

On June 15 I visited Roseta in the community called Mgona. Roseta is 27 years old and has five children. Esther her oldest is 12,and Sherif is only one month old. Roseta is skin and bones — barely weighing 50 pounds. When I walked into the 40 square foot room where she was laying – lit only by a slim ray of sunlight coming through a tiny crack in the roof, I smelled death. I hate the smell of death. Death has a terrible smell in the slums of Mgona. But this smell also triggers what may seem and sound like a paradox – the hope in me – Christ!

Roseta was laying on the floor in her room; she could not say a word. As I prayed for her,all she could manage was a weak, squeaky, and very soft “amen”.I told her Jesus had come to visit her and wanted to comfort and heal her. I asked her if she knew the Lord – she shook her head slightly to say “no”. I felt this river well up in me and started to pray that she would accept Christ as Lord and Savior. She continued to whisper “amen” as I prayed. She followed the prayer with a few slurred words that were barely audible. I totally broke down as I continued to pray with her. I knew that the Lord had purposed for her to receive His great salvation and comfort. I knew that it was all God’s work because the circumstances were totally hopeless — but I remained hopeful in the supernatural. I sensed God’s presence in the room with us.

I Was with a team from God’s Economy (one of our ministry partners) and I walked out of that one room shack,a completely broken person. God had brought me in that instance into a place of brokenness of spirit. I have never really broken down during home visits But this was one time when I was forced to openly acknowledge my helplessness in the presence of others. I have always been the strong one – encouraging others in this battle. But the one thing I knew then and there as I wept for this family, that the Holy Spirit was also weeping over this helpless mother and her children, and God’s heart was broken.

I took baby Sherif and asked two others to join me as the Holy Spirit prompted me to have the baby dedicated. While raising the baby heavenward we prayed and dedicated him. The mood was somber as we left Roseta and continued visiting other patients. That night I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about Roseta and her five children.

The next day our HBC volunteers brought food supplies and a lamp to the family as the husband had deserted them and had not been home at all. Regina, Rosetta‘s HBC volunteer informed us that they were going to take Roseta to the hospital as she would need to go for her ARVs. At the hospital the doctor insisted she be admitted, however, the support group who had taken her did not have the authority to do so as they needed the husband’s permission so they returned with her to Mgona.

On Sunday I did not go to church, I spent my time in prayer for this dear family — and in the afternoon I decided to go back to Mgona to visit the family again. I took clothing for the children, some dolls, formula for the baby, and fortified meal for Roseta and her children. When I got there I spent time with Roseta and praised God – for she had regained a bit of strength. The children were very excited with the clothes and dolls.

Roseta began to tell me about her husband. She said she was tested for HIV/AIDS when she was pregnant. When she told her husband that she was HIV positive he refused to accept what she told him. She never went back to the clinic, and when she gave birth her health completely deteriorated. That was when we found her. Roseta also told me that her husband is never at home and is always drinking. He also told her he is just waiting for her to die. I told her she needs to fight the disease so she can recover and take care of her children.

On Monday, June 21 I woke up at 1:00am in the morning and my thoughts were with Roseta, I felt led to pray for her and her family. Later in the day I felt a strong urgency in my spirit to visit her – even though I had other meetings to attend. When I got to her home, she was lying on her mat – obviously in pain. I knelt down to hear what she was trying to say, and heard this pitiful wimper “please take me to hospital – I don’t want to die.”. We immediately made arrangements to try and take her to the hospital. In the absence of any stretcher or wheelchair, one of our volunteers lifted her up from her mat and carried her out of the house, it was a very sad sight to see, this 27 year old woman, looking like a ten year old – Regina her HBC volunteer strapped Rosetta on to her back as we walked to the Feeding Center to wait for the truck which would take her to the hospital. When the truck arrived, four volunteers put her on the back of the truck and left for the difficult journey to the hospital.

While Roseta is in the hospital, Catherine our HBC Coordinator and Charmaine are cooking food for her, and providing her with fresh clothing. Regina, another HBC volunteer is taking care of the children until Roseta is released from hospital.

As of June 29, Rosetta’s husband has not been to see her or the children. While Roseta is gaining strength, she is still very ill. My prayer for Roseta is that she will recover and live to take care of her five beautiful children who are totally oblivious to the dire situation their mother is in and they find themselves in. Pray with me that God will prevail in this situation, He is the God of the impossible.

ALUTA CONTINUA – THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

As I leave Rosetta in the care of our wonderful unsung HBC hereos my next stop is Alice Jumas’ home. Alice is recovering and able to walk and take a bike to the hospital and get her ARVs. She is a testimony to God’s amazing grace – the same grace I believe He will provide for Roseta!

PLEASE PRAY FOR ROSETA AND HER FAMILY.

What can I say? If we discard the people who are dying from AIDS … then we can no longer be called the body of Christ — the Church of the Living God, so we continue to stand and having done all … we stand. My appeal to you who “support a home-based care worker” is not to get weary in doing good.

Somebody Cares could not care and support mothers and children like Rosetta and her family without your help. As we continue to serve the dying and the sick through your generous giving and prayers. Your prayers and giving continue to make a difference in the lives of those we support in the slums and communities we serve. Homebased Care and Recovery Support has made tremendous strides – a year ago we used to experience 8 -10 deaths a week, now it has dropped to 2-3 a month with miraculous recovery due to support and care and fortified meal distributed to the sick and the many who have access to ARVS. God Bless and increase you as you continue to express your deep compassion in this world of real suffering!

Theresa Malila

They were married in 1998, a year after Joseph’s first wife died of AIDS. Joseph had one son from his first marriage. When Brender married Joseph she had no idea that his first wife had died of AIDS. Brender and Joseph had three children of their own – Tomas, Mphatso and Tiyesele.

In 2004 Mphatso, who was 2 years old, became very ill. When her mother took her to the hospital, the doctors told her that Mphatso had meningitis. After being hospitalized for a month the little girl died. Though grieved by this loss, the family returned to some semblance of normalcy.

In 2007 Brender began to constantly feel weak and tired. She was also losing weight at an alarming rate. A visit to the hospital confirmed her worst fears; she was HIV positive. The doctor also advised her to bring her two remaining children to the hospital for an AIDS test.  Tiyesele who was only 3 years old, and Tomas who was 9, were also found to be HIV positive. By May 2008 they were all on ARV medication.

Brender’s husband Joseph refuses to acknowledge the fact that his wife and her children are HIV positive. He himself refuses to be tested because as he says “I am healthy”. Because of this, he refuses to use condoms as per the hospital’s instructions, and Brender is pregnant once again.

Gina, an HBC volunteer, found Brender in December of 2008. Gina was visiting one of her patients named Felesta. Felesta is HIV positive and has cancer in her leg. After Gina’s visit, Felesta asked her to check in on her neighbour as she too was very sick. Gina found Brender so sick and weak she was unable to walk.

As Brender and Gina talked, Brender voiced her concerns to Gina. “I am so worried about my children, having other children, and exposing them to the possibility of being born with HIV/AIDS. The only out I see is to divorce Joseph because he behaves like this is not happening to us. But who will support me if I get divorced? I rely totally on Joseph.” Her anger at her husband for infecting her and bringing this trial into their family while refusing to even acknowledge it, was obvious. Brender hurts because she cannot even talk about it to him. Every time she brings it up, Joseph gets angry and an argument ensues.

When Gina found Brender, she had not taken her medication because she had not eaten. She was to weak to cook, and there was nobody to cook for her. So Gina, like many HBC volunteers, began to visit Brender three times a week to care for her and cook for her. As Brender began to eat she became strong enough to take her medication, and to begin to care for her family.

Gina still checks on Brender, making sure the children are okay, and encouraging her. Though her circumstances are very difficult, she is encouraged to know that God is mindful of her, to believe that God, who sees all things, watches over her and where it looks impossible with man, it is possible with God!

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.

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.