community profile
Kariobangi is a low-income residential estate in northeastern Nairobi, Kenya. The community lacks formal infrastructure and the majority of residents live in extreme economic poverty. There is a high rate of HIV in the Kariobangi community.
CARE for AIDS began working in the Kariobangi communiy in early 2014. The Kariobangi center operates in partnership with Word of Life Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor George Akello.
center staff
health Counselor: FLORENCE WAMBUI
Florence joined the CARE for AIDS team as Kariobangi Center’s Health Counselor in 2018. She is well loved by clients and does an incredible job encouraging clients along their health journey toward a life beyond AIDS.
Spiritual Counselor, Marvin Musili Mitau
“In 1997 my favorite uncle died because he had HIV/AIDS and five years later his wife died. The separation of my family and losing my uncle and having no one to care for me was all very difficult. I feel God made me pass through all this to prepare me for His people. I want to give hope to the hopeless and tell them all is not lost despite their current situation.”
center history
YEAR GRADUATES FAITH-DECISIONS ORPHANS PREVENTED
2013-2014 79 15 347
2014-2015 53 9 300
2015-2016 58 12 159
2016-2017 76 25 263
2018-2019 78 23 251
2019-2020 N/A N/A N/A
2020-2021 TBD TBD TBD
*The cohort in the 2019-2020 class was impacted by delays in the CARE for AIDS program caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and health precautions. To learn more about how we responded to the pandemic, visit this page.
gradaute profiles
Isaac, 2021 Client
Isaac is 48 years old and from a Maasai community. He is married to Mary and they have a two-month-old baby. Both husband and wife are clients in our program. They live on the outskirts of the Kariobangi slum. The majority of the inhabitants who live there live below the poverty line. Most of the young people resort to crime to make ends meet.
Isaac was arrested in the streets of Nairobi in possession of heroin. He was released after two years in jail when the judge ruled that the investigating officers had not presented enough evidence for him to be jailed. Before his release, Isaac had just discovered his HIV-positive status. He lost hope in life and stigmatized himself, not knowing what to do next.
In May 2021, Isaac joined the CARE for AIDS program. When we asked why he chose this program, he responded: “I needed a place that would help me put my life together. I needed people I could confide in. I was languishing in denial. I needed a support group.”
In the program, Isaac was embraced. He met people who loved and encouraged him. Within one month, Isaac had accepted his status. He attends all activities in the center. He has since joined a savings group and hopes to borrow money from the group to start his own business.
Esther Akinyi, 2020 client
Ester is a 28 year old mother of two children. We were introduced to Esther by a Community Health Worker during the month of January, 2020 when were recruiting clients into the program. During that period Esther had stopped taking her antiretroviral drugs and was bedridden and staying alone in her home. She had separated with her husband and children because of her HIV status and she felt very alone. Esther had lost hope in living because her health was deteriorating and she could not afford food on a consistent basis. Through the support of the CARE for AIDS counselors at the Kariobangi center, Esther was able to access medical services and her health rapidly improved. She received new ARV medication to lower her viral load and she learned the importance of adherence and nutrition.
By August of 2020, Esther was no longer bedridden and was able to walk to the Kariobangi center for her first therapy session. Esther has really transformed physically and spiritually. She now looks to the future full of hope.
Andrew joshua, 2019 Kariobangi Graduate:
Andrew Joshua joined the CARE for AIDS program in January of 2019. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and his health was deteriorating quickly because of the combination of the tumor and his HIV status. Andrew joined the program with his wife (pictured) and they fully committed themselves to the program- neither missed a seminar or a center day throughout the nine months. When Andrew told the CFA counselors about his tumor diagnosis, they referred him to the Regional Health Officer, Nahashon, who was able to speak with his doctors and connect him to the care he needed to keep the tumor from progressing. Andrew is now on a monthly medication that manages his pain and prevents further tumor growth. He is excited to be healthy and active and we are praying with him and his wife that he will continue to heal so they can both thrive as a family and live lives beyond AIDS.
Dorcas, 2018 Kariobangi Graduate:
Dorcas graduated from the CARE for AIDS program in Kariobagi in July. She is 70 years old and has struggled with stigma related to her HIV status for many years. When she joined CARE for AIDS, she realized she is not alone. She has overcome her stigma and is now a proud, confident leader in her community. Throughout the nine-month program, Dorcas learned many skills to help her earn money- her favorite skill is making purses, bags, hats, and art from recycled plastic. We believe Dorcas has many happy, healthy years ahead of her. Join us in praying for her continued health and success.