Ethogon and his grandmother

Ethogon was a seven years old boy, orphaned by AIDS and living with his ageing grandmother. This small family was discovered by Wanjiku, a St. Martin volunteer in the HIV/AIDS programme, living in the same area. Wanjiku is a 40 years old lady, mother of five children, who derives her income from farming. She decided to join the organisation since she had seen many people in her neighbourhood and even in her family who had been infected and affected by the disease.

Wanjiku found Ethogon and the grandmother in a pathetic condition: living in a shanty single room house, sleeping on the floor with their only pair of clothes as beddings. Both grandmother and boy were malnourished and seriously infected by jiggers, impeding proper use of the hands and feet.

Wanjiku took Ethogon to the St. Martin rescue centre to regain strength and be treated for the jiggers. Wanjiku took care of the grandmother after having learned from the social worker how to remove the jiggers and apply disinfectant. She then started to mobilize the community, using the communication skills she had gained during a training course. Since the single room shanty was infested by parasites, it had to be burned down and a new one erected. In response to Wanjiku’s appeal people donated construction material and a local carpenter offered to build the house. Others provided a bed, beddings and some clothes.

The grandmother is now able again to fetch water and firewood, cook and take care of herself with little support from the neighbours. She may not be able to take care of Ethogon, but agreed that a generous family could be looked for in the community to foster the boy.

With the few skills she was given, Wanjiku was able to facilitate a real change in the lives of these two people. This achievement gave her a great feeling of satisfaction and the drive to continue working as a St. Martin volunteer.

CP for HIV/AIDS and Drugs Abuse