Keep a Child Alive

Webb Matomane & Margaret Madonsela met in the waiting room at KCA’s Blue Roof Wellness Center in Durban, South Africa in 2008. The Blue Roof Clinic is a state of the art center providing free anti-retroviral treatment, nutritional support, home based care, psychosocial support and alcohol/drug abuse counseling to more than 1,200 patients. Margaret came into the Clinic to be tested and Webb was collecting his repeat medication for the upcoming month. They began talking and when Webb left he told Wendy, our receptionist, that although he knew her, he had misplaced her phone number and wanted to contact her after their talk. Since then, a relationship developed from this meeting at the Clinic and they married in 2009! Margaret says Webb has made her so happy and it puts a smile on her face that her grown children have accepted him as her husband and that they are HIV positive together. They are happily married and want everyone to know that life goes on even when you are HIV positive.

This Valentine’s Day, you can help keep more people like Webb & Margaret alive. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999 to donate to Keep a Child Alive.

Today is Nutrition Day at Alive Medical Services. Every month, the clinic provides food parcels to nearly 2,000 patients. Anti-retroviral medication cannot be taken without food, so the comprehensive care approach at Alive Medical Services ensures that every patient on treatment receives a monthly food parcel.

Dr. Pasquine Ogunsanya reports that the clinic is already seeing a greater influx of patients in 2010. She says, “It has been constantly busy with both the inner reception and overflow reception full. They have all asked me to wish you a Happy New Year and a big thank you for their lives.”

Join KCA in 2010 and help Alive Medical Services care for many more patients in need.
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KCA’s Director of Development, Jennifer, traveled to Uganda and Rwanda last month to visit Alive Medical Services and the Centreville Clinic. While in Uganda, Jenn met Bashir for the first time. Bashir is one of nearly 2,000 patients receiving anti-retroviral treatment at Alive Medical Services. After only four months of comprehensive HIV care, Bashir has gained nearly 30 pounds. His health improved dramatically in the first 30 days of treatment; but then, he developed tuberculosis and was diagnosed with Kaposi’s sarcoma, a cancer common among people living with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the extensive treatment of opportunistic infections at Alive Medical Services, Bashir has recovered from TB and continues to do well on his cancer treatment.

In this video we share with you now, Bashir is looking at photographs of his transformation that we published in the 2009 Black Ball Journal (read the story here). He was so moved to know that so many people he’s never met have read his story and care about him and his health. This is the impact that you, our Keep a Child Alive donors and members, are making in the lives of the people we serve. Thank you for being a part of this movement, and please help us keep many more people like Bashir alive.
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From ALIVE Medical Services, our clinic in Kampala, Uganda – we are thrilled to introduce you to Akampumuza Emmanuel. He is one of the HIV positive infants that have been brought to ALIVE Medical Services and are started on anti-retroviral therapy right away! When “Emma” was first brought to ALIVE he had a very bad skin rash, low CD4 count and weighed only 9 kg. We are so incredibly happy to show you Emma today as a strong healthy baby eating well and weighing 10.5 kg now! We have many babies at ALIVE and you can help to keep even more babies like Emma alive by texting ‘ALIVE’ to 90999 to donate $5 to Keep a Child Alive today!

This year for the Holiday Season, we did something new at all of our sites and treated our children and families to a Holiday Feast! At ALIVE Medical Services, there were 1000 clients in attendance all dressed so beautifully for the feast as was Emma ! There were 4 minibuses packed to capacity with children on their parents’ laps that traveled from Kapeeka, a town outside of Kampala to the Church Hall beside the clinic to feast, dance and sing! The Church Hall was full to capacity and the children played outside in the shade. The families feasted on queen cakes, samosas, cookies, sweets, soda and water – and everyone left full! It is so important for all our children and families to have the proper nutrition while on ARV’s to make the treatment successful and we are so happy to be able to give this feast to all our families this December. Our Clinic Director Dr Pasquine Ogunsanya said ‘There was rejoicing and great testimonies of hope, love and new life. There were poems, songs, dancing by the clients and so much fun.’ This means the world to us at Keep a Child Alive in the holiday season – and you can help us to continue this by sending greetings with KCA’s Holiday E-cards – send one here!

If you would like to sponsor a feast of your own or simply help our children and families contact Cheryl Keller at cheryl@keepachildalive.org or donate now.

Happy Holidays from the KCA Staff.

A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance when you text the word ‘ALIVE” to the number 90999. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of Keep a Child Alive by the mGive Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mGive.com/A. To unsubscribe text STOP to 90999, for help text HELP to 90999.

Selwyn is a patient at Keep a Child Alive’s Blue Roof Wellness Centre in Durban, South Africa. The clinic has empowered so many patients to share their skills at the clinic, and spread the word in the community about the HIV/AIDS services available. We are proud to share Selwyn’s story with you today, in his own words.

How can you be negative when your blood is positive?

My name is Selwyn. I am 47 years old and currently residing in Durban, South Africa. I am employed as a pipe fitter working on maintenance at the Engen Refinery in Wentworth, Durban.

I had been living in the Gauteng Province for about three years when I undertook to visit my parents, who I had not seen in about two years. My parents lived in Durban. On arriving in Durban my parents were happy to see me but was startled at my condition. On awakening the following morning, my mom let me know in no uncertain terms that she had made an appointment for me at her doctor for a full medical with great interest on me taking an HIV test. I had been dreading this because of things that had happening to my body like loss of weight, darkening of complexion, hair starting to thin, inflamed gums, teeth loosing, dry skin, loss of energy and very very sleepy.

On the 9th November 2007, I very reluctantly went for the test and was told to be back on the 10th for my lab results. On the 10th I made every kind of excuse to avoid going for my results. On the 11th I was awoken by Mom and told that I needed to retrieve my results so that we could plan the way forward. On arriving at the GP surgery I was put through the procedure of counseling that was the longest ten minutes of my life. My parents raised me by encouraging me to be positive. I was not prepared for the negative of being positive. How could a positive result leave one feeling so negative?

I went back home where all were waiting for me, informed them of my results and we all cried. I don’t know why I cried because I had been living dangerously in my past…. been there, done that, got the tee shirt and now the virus. My past had come back to HAUNT me. Never say never! …. Crying help, prayer helps. Both crying and praying opened up our eyes to reality and to our next action plan. Note that it is not my plan but our plan. You cannot make it alone, you will die.

It was then decided that my cousin Delarise had to be contacted and told that we were coming in to see her due to my condition. Delarise has extensive knowledge and experience in counseling people that are either infected or families that are affected by a loved one’s status. I came out of there encouraged. I returned to Johannesburg where I had my CD4 count was done. I at that time did not fully understand the importance of the CD4 count. My CD4 count returned as 28. I now know of people that have died with a count much higher than mine. The clinic did not advise me of ARV’s. I didn’t know that I was a dead man walking. I contacted Delarise and informed her of my CD4 count.

I was broke, unemployed, weak and HIV positive. I looked at all of these negatives and took the decision that the only positive was not one that I wanted. I removed my gun from my safe, wrote my letter, put one bullet in the chamber and put the gun to my head. My daughter Sade’s face flashed through my mind and she was saying “Daddy Don’t”. She does not live with me but I saw her clearly on that day, and I cried like a baby. I sobbed, I wailed, I bawled, I prayed and I slept.

My cell phone awoke me the next morning indicating that there was a message from my mom. The message read “come home immediately, drop everything”. I checked the time 4:30am and I prayed. I did not know that Delarise had informed my parents that if I did not return immediately I would return in a box. I went around to all my friends and informed them that I was going back home to die. We cried … crying helps, prayer helps.

On my arrival in Durban, Delarise advised me on which hospital I should attend. The hospital HIV/AIDS unit was overflowing by the time I was seen to it was now afternoon. I was informed that I should return the following week. I contacted Delarise to inform her. She then informed me of the Blue Roof Clinic. I told her that I was tired and would go there the next day but she informed me in a firm but gentle manner that I should go there immediately. I proceeded very reluctantly to go there as I thought it was long queues again.

I arrived at the Blue Roof Clinic and was attended to immediately, and was informed that I should be tested for Tuberculosis the following day, even though I did not have a cough, was counseled on medication, and was TB free. I started on ARV’s on the 10th December 2007, and have experienced absolutely no side effects.

I had relatives and good friends who could not recognize me because of my condition. I had to identify myself to them and they would look at me dumbstruck. My CD4 count is now 245 and my viral load is 25 meaning undetectable. One of the first questions that people ask you on finding out about your status is. “Where did you get it from?” My answer to that is that one should not focus on that, but focus on recovery. If your vehicle had a puncture, are you going to waste your time trying to find out why, or are you going to repair the puncture?

I believe that once you have discovered your status you develop a seventh sense. You can read body language from a mile away. A month after starting treatment I started working again. After 2 weeks on the job I decided to inform my boss as to my status and also to inform him that I was going to inform all the guys in our morning safety meeting. He was at first shocked, but I made him understand it was all about safety. He agreed and said that it was my choice. He also said that if ever I needed anything that I should pick up the phone and call him. I have on two occasions phoned him not for help, but he left me with the feeling that he would be going for an HIV test because of speaking to me on the phone. Must be my seventh sense.

People tell me that I am brave for disclosing my status. I tell them that the brave are dead. They took the secret to the grave. They left behind little children who cannot fend for themselves and families that are telling people that “OH he died of cancer or sugar diabetes or a heart attack”. Even tuberculosis is dodgy these days. That brave person could be alive today. I am alive and so can you. Our South African press has been very quick to praise some of our leaders who have admitted after their children have died, that it was because of the HIV virus. They are the ones that are allowing the stigma to ferment, and the ignorance to continue.

I would like to give all praise and thanks to God for his daily grace upon my life and his keeping power. Thanks to my parents, children. siblings, family, work mates and strangers who approach me in the street. To Beryl, my wife, who is part of my life and accepted me as I am even though she is negative. I can’t say if I would have done that for you, I salute your courage. To all the wonderful staff at the Blue Roof Clinic who treat with dignity, your unobliging spirit has not gone unnoticed. Our country is being ravaged by this HIV/AIDS pandemic and the main cause of this is ignorance and stigma. I am hoping the new leadership of our country takes heed of this clarion call from a nation that is being decimated.

You can help keep more people like Selwyn alive. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999.

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.

Nicol grew up in Durban, South Africa, where she was first introduced to HIV seven years ago, when her aunt revealed her HIV positive status to her family. Nicol’s aunt was very sick when she finally disclosed her status, and she died shortly after. Then Nicol began noticing similar symptoms in her older brother. He was incredibly weak when she finally convinced him to take an HIV test. He tested positive, and the doctors told him he only had two months left to live. At the time, it was impossible for Nicol’s brother to access the ARV therapy he needed most urgently. Nicol learned from the strength of her brother, who, even in his final days, responded to the concerns of people in the community with confidence: “Yes, I’m sick. I contracted HIV. I’m HIV positive.”

Three years ago, Nicol became very ill herself. She chose to go to the Blue Roof Wellness Centre in Wentworth, Durban to get tested for HIV, seeing it as a positive alternative to the stark hospital settings. Having become well acquainted with the symptoms of the disease over the years, she was not shocked to learn her HIV positive status. What shocked her most was when she approached the man she knew she had contracted the disease from. He was engaged at the time, and wanted nothing to do with her, also refusing to inform his family. Nicol adopted a healthier lifestyle to keep the disease under control, and most of her friendships dissipated when she stopped drinking. Her mother, Veronica, is the only member of her family who has stuck by Nicol through everything. Nicol’s mother has survived the premature deaths of three children, and Nicol is her sole surviving child today. “I believe that people should never give up on their children and their families who have HIV,” Veronica says. “I consider myself one of the most privileged mothers walking here. If God wants me to do his work on Earth, to care for the sick and disabled, so be it. Then when I get to heaven, I’ll have no work left to do.”

Nicol began her ARV therapy at the Blue Roof in January, and she says now that she feels healthier than she has ever been. However, Nicol was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer, and has been moved to a hospice for 24-hour care. Despite all her hardship, Nicol’s experience as a Blue Roof patient keeps her optimistic. “God has a plan for me,” she says. “He’s not letting me go anywhere. He is putting me through all these tests because he wants me to come out and be a better person. I want to let people know about HIV. I want to be successful in life with this HIV and cancer and let people know that it is not the end of the world. Yes, I can achieve.”

You can help keep more people like Nicol alive. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999.
Stay connected with the Blue Roof Wellness Centre: http://community.keepachildalive.org/profile/TheBlueRoof

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.

Bashir Bukenya just completed his first month of anti-retroviral treatment at Alive Medical Services and we are witnessing an incredible transformation! Bashir lives in a town about a two-hour drive from Alive Medical Services in Kampala, Uganda. He is 33 years old and a father to seven children, whose ages range from 12 weeks old to 12 years old. His wife, Farida also receives comprehensive HIV care from Alive Medical Services.

One month ago, Bashir came to Alive Medical Services with full-blown AIDS. He could neither sit nor walk, was severely dehydrated, and sick with Cryptococcus and pneumonia. His CD4 count was only 2 cells and he weighed only 66 pounds. As the staff carried him to the ward, no one was sure if he would make it through the night.

Bashir began his anti-retroviral treatment immediately and his health has dramatically improved in just thirty days. He can walk on his own now, eats more than 2 pounds of maize flower a day, and has gained 20 pounds already! Bashir himself cannot believe he is alive. He is so grateful to Keep a Child Alive, and cannot wait to get stronger and begin working again.

You can help keep more people like Bashir alive. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999.
Stay connected with Alive Medical Services: http://community.keepachildalive.org/profile/AliveMedicalServices

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.

Alive Medical Services in Kampala, Uganda hosts a “Child’s Day” at the end of every month, inviting all young patients and their families for a day of exciting, interactive and educational activities. These events have helped to build a greater community of support among patient families. At the end of August, 370 children participated in Child’s Day. The Alive Medical Services team organized a talent show, and parents and children shared beautiful talents from arts and crafts, music and dance to drama, poems and testimonies. Volunteers and friends of Keep a Child Alive came to help out during the day.

In this photo on the left, Doctor Elizabeth holds a microphone for one child who was brought back to life with anti-retroviral therapy, as he powerfully recites two long poems.

And here on the right, Donald, age 12, recited a poem:

AIDS IS A DEADLY ANIMAL.
But we can defeat it by getting HIV counselling and testing,
taking ARVS and becoming a point of HIV prevention.
IT ENDS WITH ME.

The day ended with the children joining together in dance!

You can help keep more children alive with Alive Medical Services. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999.
Stay connected with Alive Medical Services: http://community.keepachildalive.org/profile/AliveMedicalServices

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.

Nutritional support is a key element of the comprehensive HIV care strategy at Alive Medical Services (AMS). Anti-retroviral medication cannot be taken without food, and since Alive Medical Services operates in one of the poorest areas in Uganda, a majority of patients need nutritional support as well. The clinic provides monthly food parcels to more than 1500 patients on treatment.

Last Wednesday, August 12th, was Nutrition Day at AMS. Every month, more and more patients line up to receive their food and medication. As food prices continue to rise, we anticipate this number of patients in need of nutritional support to grow exponentially. Therefore, it is most important for KCA to continue to fund nutrition for Alive Medical Services. Your generosity makes the nutrition program at AMS possible.

You can help feed more people at Alive Medical Services. Give $5 Text ALIVE to 90999.
Stay connected with Alive Medical Services: http://community.keepachildalive.org/profile/AliveMedicalServices

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.

National Women’s Day is an annual public holiday in South Africa on August 9. The day commemorates the national march of women on August 9, 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the “pass”, special identification documents which curtailed an African’s freedom of movement during the apartheid era.

Keep a Child Alive’s Blue Roof Wellness Centre hosted a reception in honor of National Women’s Day at the clinic. The Blue Roof currently provides life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to more than 1200 people in Durban, South Africa. The reception was held in the Blue Roof’s patient cafe, where patients receive a nutritious meal when they come to the clinic for testing and treatment.

You can help keep the Blue Roof keep more patients alive. Give $5 Text ALIVE to 90999.
Stay connected to the Blue Roof Wellness Centre: http://community.keepachildalive.org/profile/TheBlueRoof

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.