Upendo Village Update
September, 2004
Upendo Village Staff: (From right to left) Sister Florence Muia—Founder/President of Upendo Village and counselor; Catherine Mueni—dietician/cook; Sister Agnes Wanja—nurse; Sister Catherine Mutio—accountant/social worker; Bridget Barasa—social worker; Michael Mumo—driver.
Much has been accomplished since Upendo Village began ministering to men, women and children with HIV/AIDS in Naivasha, Kenya. Sister Florence Muia and her staff now number six (see picture above), all working hard to provide a myriad of services. Pre- and post-test counseling are being done. The community awareness and education program has had a great impact in changing attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. More and more people are seeking volunteer counseling and testing (VCT) services. With the help of the Naperville, IL Rotary Club, Upendo Village was able to purchase HIV test kits to test clients and others who wish to know their HIV status. From July 1, 2003 through June 2004, 645 people have participated in the VCT services. The community awareness and education program has been able to reach 8,950.
Upendo Village is working out of a temporary location. We are presently fundraising in order to be able to purchase land for a permanent site which can house the emergency shelter, the small clinic, VCT programs, AIDS education and vocational training to help clients become self sufficient. A generous donation has already been received to construct the building at this future site.
Most impressive of all is the love and care with which Upendo Village staff and their 18 trained volunteers reach out to the poor infected and affected with HIV/AIDS through the Home Based Care Program (HBC). Presently, the HBC program serves 373 clients, including 282 women and children who are HIV +. Additionally, the HBC program is providing nutritional supplementation to 810 AIDS orphans, children with HIV + parents and primary caregivers, most of whom are elderly parents of infected adults. Upendo Village has provided emergency shelter/hospitality for 170 mothers, caregivers and children in need of extensive intervention. 464 children orphaned as a direct result of the AIDS pandemic have been successfully placed with extended family members or with others in their communities.
Mary, a young girl infected with AIDS, shares her story of illness, struggle for health, and hope for her future and for the future of Kenya. A translator helps her express her gratefulness for all of the love and support that she has received through Upendo Village.
In August 2004, I was invited to accompany a team from the Justice and Peace Mission Office of the Joliet, IL diocese on a fact-finding mission to Kenya and Tanzania. They were reviewing organizations that provide services to those suffering from AIDS in Africa. During our visit to Upendo Village we visited several of their clients in the HBC program, listening to the physical problems that they were struggling with, offering them small sacks of nutritional supplementation put together by Upendo Village’s dietician, Catherine Mueni, and offering support to elderly parents and/or grandparents who suddenly have found themselves as the sole financial supporter and caregiver for sick or orphaned family members. These courageous people have continued to cope day to day with life challenges that many of us could not even imagine. Their love, dedication to their families, and determination to make it to the next day with dignity was inspiring for us all.
Upendo Village volunteers recently completed their 3-phase volunteer training program and received their certification and their backpack of supplies for HBC.
The beauty of Africa is stunning, but the tears of her people water the land as a result of this devastating AIDS pandemic. Upendo Village continues to be a ray of sunshine warming the poor of Kenya and bringing hope and love to the most vulnerable of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In solidarity with the staff, volunteers and clients of Upendo Village, we here in the United States continue sending our donations, love and prayers to continue this great work.
Thank you for your continued support for Upendo Village and the people of Kenya. Your concern and support continues to bring hope and life to many. We continue to work toward the day when the people of all the countries of the world will be able to live healthy and happy lives.—
Beatrice Hernandez, OSF, MD
Upendo Village, NFP.
HIV/AIDS Women Project-Kenya
Sr. Florence Muia, ASN – President
Sr. Beatrice M. Hernandez, OSF,MD-Executive Director
E-mail: contact@upendovillage.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 449
Wheaton, IL 60189