“Little Child, I say to you, GET UP!”

Paul is a five year old orphan.  He lives with his aunt in a slum in Nyahururu.  Born five years ago to a causal labourer and a bar attendant, his parents succumbed to AIDS when he was only two years old.  Contrary to the African culture that treasures children and believe they belong to the community, there was only one person willing to bring up Paul; his 22 year old aunt who runs a charcoal business.  Being a habitual drinker, she is quite reckless and hardly provides Paul with even basic necessities like food. 

Luckily, Paul is among the first batch of five children who will be welcomed TODAY in the Talitha Kum Children’s Home of St. Martin CSA.
The Home was constructed partly with financial assistance of the local community which contributed Ksh 3 million in a fundraising.

Three Dimesse sisters will take care of the day to day running of the home, while the programme will provide technical support whenever called to. The home will make use of the programme network of community volunteers in identification and initial assessment of children together with the programme social workers. It will only admit HIV+ orphans who live in desperate condition.
St. Martin through its “only through community” approach, wishes to retain all orphans in the same socio-cultural, economic and religious life as their parents, with minimal disruption of life. All children should enjoy their cultural life and participate fully in community responsibilities to grow into mature and responsible citizens. As such, the home will place premium to abandoned and desperate HIV positive orphans who cannot get immediate alternative placements and will not admit those who can get alternative integration, care and support in the community.

Paul’s story is similar to that of many children in Kenya.  Statistics show that 30-40% of babies born to HIV positive mothers will be infected.  80% of the infected babies die before their fifth birthday, if not treated.  HIV positive orphans are often traumatized by past experiences; they watch as their parents spend every coin in the family to treat opportunistic infections.  Many times they take care of their ailing parents till death.  They feel helpless and hopeless.  They are left with deep wounds in their hearts.  Many a times the community does not take care of their psychological needs.  As a result they become fragile and vulnerable.  Taking care of them is a delicate and difficult task.

Talitha Kum Children’s Home was born with one objective – to give childhood back to these children who never had it.  ‘Talitha Kum’ are words derived from the bible (Mark 5:41):  Jairus came to Jesus and told him that his daughter was dying and requested Him to go and lay his hands on her that she may  get healed.  On their way messengers came from Jairus house and told him that the girl was already dead and therefore he should not bother the teacher.  But Jesus went to where she was lying and holding her hand said to her, “Talitha Kum”, which means, “little girl, I tell you to get up!”  Immediately the girl got up and started walking around.

Talitha Kum is a result of the consolidated efforts of the entire Nyahururu community who are friends and supporters of St. Martin CSA.  The home will support HIV positive AIDS orphans whose guardians are not able to support them even with the help of the community.

Today, the 1st of July 2005, 5 children will be admitted.  The children will be accompanied not only by their guardians but also by the community volunteers of St. Martin and other members of their communities (See picture no. 2). 

On 9th July 2005 at 2.00 p.m. there will be community prayers at the home to welcome the children.

The home is located along the Nyahururu  Nyeri Road opposite the entrance of Thomson Falls Lodge.  The entire community is invited and requested to bring gifts in form of foodstuff and clothing for the children.