Douglas is the coordinator of this program and has enlisted 30 members into the group (and growing) - all HIV positive men. Douglas has told us that men don't generally discuss their condition for fear it would make them seem weak, so getting a group together that are all HIV+ helps bring out more. The statistics in Kenya show that there are over 3 times more women affected by HIV/AIDS, but reality is that there are many more men affected, but either they don't admit it, or they don't even get tested - this is the biggest issue. Pregnant women MUST be tested, otherwise all other testing is voluntary. Many men wait until their partners are pregnant - if the wife (and potentially the baby) are positive, then it probably means they are too. But even then, some men will blame the women (so much education is needed here!)
One of the members, Morris, has lived in Korogocho most of his life and therefore has a great rapport with the people there, and is a great guide for us. You will see from the pictures that we are getting off the beaten path and making our way through narrow alleys to reach some houses. Again, the garbage, filth and stench are overwhelming and it is hard to believe that people call this "home".
On Monday and Tuesday (FE 22 and 23), we visited a total of 7 people. Some were single; some single parents, and some married. Some married couples were both HIV positive, but some were not.
Me and Morris
To be honest, we found our visits quite intrusive. Douglas, Morris, Kevin, Louise and I, Erik (a local youth helping out), plus 2 local girls who volunteer with MMAAK, would all crowd into the tiny home of these people. MMAAK had us ask lots of questions and most of the time they had to translate into Swahili. We really did not feel like we were doing any good. We would like to split the group up so that we at least get to visit more people, but it seems that even the local volunteers don't know their way around the slum, nor feel comfortable in some areas without Morris there.
We met an older man, Solomon, who was an electrician and had acually rigged up a light bulb and TV in his house!
We met a young mother who had lost her husband to AIDS and is now raising 6 young children on her own. The eldest boy of this family spends his days in the garbage dump scrounging for scrap metal and items he can then sell. We were told that because he was a child, he didn't even get a fair price for what he found. Maureen, the mother, is HIV positive and is unable to find work. Although there is an anti-discrimination law to protect people with HIV/AIDS, we have been told by many that they are still refused work. They have also lost friends and family members due to the huge stigma associated with the disease. The good news is that the government does supply the proper medication free-of-charge, but the biggest issue is lack of food. The HIV medications are very strong, and if not taken with food can cause major stomach upsets. Those who have no food, or little of it, often stop taking the meds to avoid feeling sick. The need here is so tremendous, it's hard to know where to start. We constantly have to sit back and recognize that we can't change the world overnight, but focus on one person at a time.
We visited a couple who are both HIV positive and are looking after 11 children: some of their own, plus nieces and nephews. They actually have their own little business selling denim school bags - 2 sizes. We would like to work with them to develop other patterns. 
We talked to them about changing the strap to make it a purse for women, or an over-the-shoulder bag for men (Kevin even wants to buy one of these if they can make it). I suggested making wallets out of the pattern of the front pocket on the current knapsack. The couple seemed a bit confused - not sure how to venture away from the one pattern they know, but hopefully we can help them with that and grow their business.
As with the clinic, the 2 days with MMAAK did not necessarily feel right for Kevin, Louise and I (we felt more like observers), but through these visits we are learning a lot about the life in Korogocho and the issues. From these, we are figuring out ways that we can make a lasting change on these people. As for MMAAK, they tell us that the people are extremely happy to have us visit - that we give them hope.
Based on all this, we will continue to do home visits once a week, but the 3 of us will go on different days. At least this will slightly reduce the number of people cramming into a home.
The dirty river that supplies water to Korogocho
The picture does it justice - it looks so much worse in real life
No comments:
Post a Comment