Nyumbani (Kiswahili for Home) is a special home that cares for HIV positive orphans in Kenya. It is the realization of Father Angelo D'Agostino, a Jesuit Priest and Doctor to care for HIV + children in Kenya. With many willing helpers, he created a caring and loving home for these children. Nyumbani is a registered Kenya Charity (Certificate # C72607) under the name: Children of God Relief Institute (COGRI) A voluntary Board of Directors is responsible for the running of the organization.
The purpose of Nyumbani is to provide comprehensive psychosocial care for HIV+ children. It is estimated that 300,000 Kenyan children are HIV+ and the number continues to increase steadily. Many mothers abandon their babies at birth because of the stigma of HIV infection. Other HIV+ children lose their parents to the disease and few are willing or able to care for them.
Nyumbani gives these most vulnerable children the best available nutritional, medical, psychosocial, and spiritual care. The budget of the home, however, is insufficient to provide all the children with the life prolonging anti-retroviral therapy so they depend on drugs being donated. Two-thirds of the children are presently on ARV treatment. Since theya re enjoying relatively good health, many of the children are able to attend school at the Nyumbani school house or local schools in the area.
(The above Information has been provided by Nyumbani and more information is available at www.nyumbani.org)
Recently I had the opportunity to go to Kenya and spend some time with the children at Nyumbani. This place is certainly a home, a place where these children receive so much love and support. Currently there are almost 100 children from 2 years to 18 living at the orphans home. Nyumbani and Father D'Agostino have reached almost 3,000 children from the late 1980s until present, taking full care of the HIV positive children. There are now 5 boards in various countries which provided aid and support to Nyumbani, some include Kenya, Spain, and the U.S.
At Nyumbani the children live in homes together. They are separated by age and live in community with one another, as they are all one large family there. On the grounds there are fields where the kids play soccer, a basketball court, and a playground. These activities are great for the kids who enjoyed taking part with us when we were there. The children are so lovable and cling to you, as they truly appreciate the love and support that the volunteers have for them. It was very difficult leaving the children because we made some priceless connections and friendships that were key to their well being and our growth as Christians. One of the most delightful things was participating in Mass (Liturgy) at Nyumbani. Many of the children take active roles in the music, song, and dance, as well as reading of scriptures, and serving during Benediction. It was wonderful celebrating the Eucharist with the children as they Holy Spirit was certainly alive on Pentecost Sunday when we were there and once again on the feast of Corpus Christi (the most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ).
What made me very happy was seeing the children filled with joy. There smiles gave me true hope that in time more children who are orphans and those that are HIV + will be able to have a decent life. I pray that this organization continues to flourish in taking care of these children and that it receives all of financial, prayer, and volunteer support needed to succeed and grow as a model for other homes for HIV orphans in Kenya and the rest of Africa. "For in every desert of despair, God keeps an oasis of hope."
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