Project for 45 HIV orphans
So many children are not accepted in their families because their mother and father have already died of AIDS. Their environment is afraid of becoming infected themselves. They are rejected by their formerly beloved environment. That leaves deep and painful traces. Where can these orphans still go?
We started with a shelter for 30 AIDS orphans between 4 and 12 years old. An American specialist, who volunteered to examine all our children, did not give us much hope. They would remain alive for a maximum of 2 years, but luckily that turned out differently. In the meantime, we are years further and we have “only” lost 3 children. And we’ve at least given them a little heaven.
We have free ARVs. A permanent team, seven days a week, day and night, gives everything possible for our children to have a good time. With that good care our children grew up and in the meantime we have started a second house for the boys and a third for the girls. The 3 oldest will live independently this year to attend university.
Yet it remains a daily struggle: unexpectedly they can become seriously ill, they develop large blisters in their faces, the many warts that disfigure their faces but then disappear again. It’s hard, confrontational when they cling to you and make it clear: never let go of me…