24th September 2010
Another bag of clothes packed and we are off to a family we visitied yesterday. A widow who is HIV positive who has 4 children, her husband died of Aids 2 years ago. When we arrive we sit down and chat for a while I have a few questions for her and Martha translates. We establish how long she has known she has had HIV and if the children have been tested. She found out before giving birth to the first child and advises us she hasn't breast fed any of the children and they are negative. She is quite weak and unable to go out and work in the fields to support her children but has 4 years experience in selling fruit in a stand in Thika and would like to set up her own business. We work out how much this will cost 5000 shillings ($55 aus) and speak with Martha about us helping her and if she would check up on her each week while we are gone her progress. Martha agrees, so we make our way to the local town and purchase some food supplies for them. We purchase 50kg rice, 50kg of Maize (corn), 50kg beans, 30 bars of washing soap, hire a few motorbike taxi's and return to the house. The mother is extremely overwelmed and thanks us, her eyes filled with tears and our's, much the same. We hand over the money and explain Martha will be keeping an eye on her progress, she is very greatful and seems excited to start her business. We say goodbye and hope this is the beginning of a better life for these children.
We head back to the orphanage, lunch (beans and rice) have been saved for us and the children have returned from school. With the beautiful breeze blowing, I lay in the hammock amonst the trees and listen to some tunes. Before long I am sharing my music and the hammock with 2 of the children, we just lay there peacefully while the sun goes down.
While the children do their homework, Kally and I have some time to ourselves. Kally (also a vocalist) and I listen to some tunes and have a little vocal jam. Soon, one by one we are surrounded by children, they sit quitely in amazement and we all share a beautiful moment........
