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THE NEED
Founded in 1992, Nyumbani Children's Home is an active response to the rising number of HIV infected children born in Africa every day. Because infants carry many of their mothers' antibodies through their first year of life, a number of newborns with infected mothers may give a 'false positive' and never actually develop the disease themselves. In fact, a full 75% of babies who test positive at birth will eventually be found not to have the virus. Tragically these children are often abandoned anyway, on the mistaken assumption that they are certain to develop and eventually succumb to AIDS.
At Nyumbani, 'home' in Swahili, children are cared for until a definite assessment of their HIV status can be made. Children who are eventually found not to have the virus are adopted or find other homes. Children who are found to be HIV+ are given the best nutritional, medical, in particular, anti-retroviral therapy, psychological, academic, spiritual care available and live at Nyumbani until they become self-reliant.
Nyumbani is home to approximately 100 children ranging in age from newborn to twenty-three years old.
Our children come from all over Kenya; as far as Mombassa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Marsabit, Nakuru, Isiolo; or as close as Ngong, Dagoretti, and other areas within and around Nairobi. They represent all tribes and ethnicities of Kenya.
Children are referred to Nyumbani through national hospitals and through Nyumbani's own community outreach program, Lea Toto. |
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