community profile
The CARE for AIDS center in the Mukuru Kayaba community launched in late 2017. Mukuru Kayaba is a slum community in Nairobi with an estimated population of 185,000. Many community members are living in extreme poverty and have little to no education. The infection rate is high due to poverty and lack of access to healthcare.
The CARE for AIDS center in Mukuru Kayaba operates in partnership with Kayaba PEFA Church.
Center Staff
SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR: John Macharia
John Macharia joined CARE for AIDS in December of 2017. He grew up in the Mukuru Kayaba slums with his parents and three siblings, and now serves the neighborhood in which he was raised as the spiritual counselor for the CARE for AIDS center in Mukuru Kayaba. John’s favorite part about working for the organization is getting to be part of the transformation of a life.
“I dream for clients that their life will not be the same from the very first time we shall meet. “
HEALTH COUNSELOR: Damaris Wakina
Damaris is a native of Nairobi who serves as the health counselor for the CARE for AIDS center at Mukuru Kayaba. She was mostly raised by her mother as her dad spent a lot of time away in Tanzania doing business when she was a child. Damaris joined CARE for AIDS in 2017 and enjoys working one on one with her clients, hearing their stories and being an encouragement to them throughout their program.
Center History
Year graduates Faith Decisions Orphans prevented
2018-2019 81 1 281
2019-2020* N/A N/A N/A
2020-2021 75 9 236
*The cohort in the 2019-2020 class did not graduate in the 2020 calendar year because of 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.
Client Profiles
Mary, 2021 Client
Mary has no children due to several miscarriages. Due to an inability to have children, she separated from her husband and was shamed by her in-laws. She now lives alone, although she desires to have a partner.
When she joined the CARE for AIDS program, she had not disclosed her status to her family due to fear of stigma. This also hindered her from traveling upcountry since she would have to explain the use of the medication. In March, she was unwell but we assisted her in getting medical attention. She got treatment and we covered the prescribed drugs for her.
Mary recovered but still had an issue with disclosure. After several counseling sessions and explaining to her the importance of informing her family, she finally spoke out. During a home visit, she called her mother and we spoke to her. Her mother then sent Mary's sister to Nairobi and they came together during a center day. We explained the program and how it would help her sister. She was happy to see her sister and also to know that she has support. The following day, they left for upcountry where she was able to enjoy her stay with family and relatives stress-free.
We continue praying that Mary will get a life partner and also prosper in her clothing business. She is very active in her group called Glory group and will graduate in September 2021.
Beatrice, 2019 Graduate
In 2013, Beatrice began rapidly losing weight and became very weak. When she went to the local clinic for a checkup, she was told she was HIV-positive. Beatrice was devastated and immediately started worrying about the future of her young daughter. She asked God to give her strength and provide a way for her to survive despite her diagnosis. Beatrice heard about the CARE for AIDS program at Mukuru Kayaba in 2018 from a community health volunteer. She has only been a part of the program for a few months but is already so grateful for all the program has done for her. Many of her classmates are her friends and neighbors and she has a new confidence knowing that she is not the only one with HIV.
“We are many and I am encouraged knowing that I am not alone and that we have CFA behind us."
Currently, Beatrice makes her living by washing clothes for others. She has already learned through the CARE for AIDS program how to make peanut butter and is saving her money to buy the machine needed to make it in bulk. Not many people in her community are making and selling peanut butter, so she knows she will have a sustainable market for her product. Beatrice is excited about learning even more skills over the next few months. She is determined not to miss a single seminar or counseling session.
“God has sustained me. He has given me the strength and courage I need to raise my daughter. I’m proud of who I am now and I am working for the Lord."