community profile
Changamwe is a suburban slum of Mombasa in Mombasa County. The area is primarily industrial, and the community is known for violent crime. The center in Changamwe was the third CARE for AIDS center to open in Mombasa.
center staff
Medical Counselor, Joyce Kanini Musembi
Joyce began serving with CARE for AIDS in 2015, motivated by a deep desire to serve people. Her favorite part of the job is when she can counsel clients and see that they are improving every day.
Spiritual Counselor, John Mwamgunda Kimbio
Pastor John is married to Lizzy and has three children. In 2014, Pastor John joined CFA.
“I have a passion to serve people. I want many people to know Jesus and to get new life and their life to be changed.”
center history
YEAR GRADUATES FAITH DECISIONS ORPHANS PREVENTED
2015-2018 64 4 233
2016-2017 81 20 244
2017-2018 75 24 259
2018-2019 78 15 225
2019-2020* 77 19 225
2020-2021 74 19 275
*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.
Client profiles
Andrew, 2021 Client
Andrew is 43 years old. He was once married and has one child. Andrew knew his status in 2009 and the results shocked him to the point of having a stroke on one side of his body. He developed self-stigma. His wife knew her status in 2010 when she was pregnant, and this led to violence between them. In 2012, they separated and life became tough for Andrew.
He started his medication in 2015 but due to poor adherence in 2020, he defaulted from the medication. He became a drug addict and was weak to the point of being bedridden and was also diagnosed with TB.
At the point of recruitment, Andrew was bedridden. But through prioritized home visits, counseling, and food supplements, Andrew is a transformed man. He has given his life to Christ and been delivered from drug abuse. He comes to the center for seminars and has been adhering to his medication.
Andrew is excited about being in the program and is interested in doing bamboo stools, which he learned in the program. We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for him!
Umazi Tatu kombo, 2020 Graduate
Umazi is 35 years old and a single mother of two children. When she was younger, she converted to Islam because of her husband, but after years of escalating domestic violence issues, she separated from him and kept their children, often struggling to make ends meet.
Umazi joined the CARE for AIDS program in late 2019. At the time, she had reached a level of desperation because of her extreme economic poverty. She was rarely able to pay her rent and could not afford consistent nutritional food for her family, so her health was beginning to decline.
After a few months in the program, Umazi started utilizing the economic skills she learned through empowerment seminars. In particular, she started making and selling liquid soap. Her business was extremely successful and she and her family could afford a better home and consistent meals. Her health improved quickly and her whole life felt new.
Umazi became a Christian in the course of the program, and she now looks to her future with hope. Even throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Umazi was able to support her family and grew in her faith. She graduated from the program in late 2020 and we are excited to see her continue to grow and thrive.
Morris and Samuel, 2019 Changamwe Graduates
Morris and Samuel met in the CARE for AIDS program at Changamwe. Both men had suffered from stigma and fear before joining the program, but are now confident and healthy. They have each even committed to recruiting more male clients for the 2020 Changamwe class.
When asked about how the program had changed his life, Morris said that before CARE for AIDS he only knew fear, but now he can sum up his life in one word- freedom.
Morris and Samuel are two of the 78 graduates from the 2019 class.
The message below is from 2018 Changamwe graduate, Robert.
Marriam, 2015 Changamwe Graduate:
Marriam Bakari recently went through the economic empowerment seminar about how to make liquid detergent at the CARE for AIDS center in Changamwe, and she is already selling enough to pay for her children’s school fees. Francis had just finished praying with her when this photo was taken. Marriam graduated from the program in 2015 and continues to stay in touch with the staff members and other clients.