My sister has HIV

How do I know my sister? One of the favorite songs of the teenagers back there at St. Paul’s is called “Kin to Kin.”  Here is a snippet for you,

How do I know my brother?   My brother is next to me.
How do I know my sister?  My sister is next to me.
How do I know who are the people of God?  The people are next to me.
Oh! Kin to kin, we’ve go to begin, because we are all family.

How do I know my brother?   My brother lives in poverty.
How do I know my sister?  My sister lives in poverty.
How do I know who are the people of God?  The people live in poverty.
Oh! Kin to kin, we’ve go to begin, because we are all family.

How do I know my brother?   My brother has HIV.
How do I know my sister?  My sister has HIV.
How do I know who are the people of God?  The people have HIV.
Oh! Kin to kin, we’ve go to begin, because we are all family.

Fatuma is a 6 year old girl at the orphanage, she is HIV positive.  Even though there are 42 children here, many of whom have parents who have died from HIV/AIDS complications, she is the only so far who is HIV positive.  Fatuma was born on Sept 29. 2000, in 2003 both her parents died from AIDS related complications. 

After the death of her parents, Fatuma and her two siblings were taken in by her aunt.  Although the aunt wanted to care for Fatuma and her siblings, her economic resources were scarce, because  she already had 6 children of her own.  Fatuma came to live at the orphanage to help relieve the pressure on the family. 

The orphanage also provides monthly financial support for her two siblings, who are too old to come to the Rift Valley Children’s Village.  This program of support for siblings and other orphan children living with extended family is called KLR (Kids Living with Relatives), and is yet another example of how the mission of the Rift Valley Children’s Village extends way beyond this compound and group of children.

When Fatuma first arrived here, she was scared and confused and sat quietly by herself.  As she grew more comfortable, she began to smile more.  She soon showed a particular fondness for dolls and movies.  After some time, and recovery from a severe ear infection, Fatuma is growing into a happy, goofy, child.  She loves to make silly faces and to be tickled. The orphanage takes Fatuma to a special clinic to decide the best course of action to address her HIV positive status.  Her CD4 count is very good (390) which means she doesn’t need to go on the medicine yet.  For now, they make sure she is getting as many vitamins and nutrients as possible.  You only go on the HIV medicine when your count get down to 200.  So every day she stays above that number we buy her more time for someone to find a cure.  She has her count measured every month.  Fatuma is the first person I have known who is HIV positive.  She is just like so many other little girls, including my own.  She reminds me of my daughter Isabel, who is the same age.  She can be shy one minute, and a goofball the next. 

Fatuma is my sister. Fatuma is my daughter.