community profile
Dandora is a slum community in Nairobi that borders Kariobangi, a community that CARE for AIDS had been working in since 2014. Dandora is highly populated and is the location of Nairobi's primary trash dumping station. Community members living in Dandora are facing extreme poverty and many earn a living by reselling items found in the dump. CARE for AIDS began operation in the Dandora community in January 2017.
center staff
Medical Counselor, Judy Wanjiru Kanyi
Judy has been employed with CFA since 2016. In 2011, Judy's aunt was HIV+, bedridden, and in a lot of pain. Judy thanks God she is well now. Through her situation, Judy really wanted to work with such people to give hope to them and face life positively and move on despite their status.
“I love giving hope to a client and seeing them rise again, face life, positively, and understand there is life beyond HIV/AIDS."
Spiritual Counselor, Bernard Onyango
Bernard, grew up an orphan in the Korogocho slums. After his parents died of HIV/AIDS, he took on the responsibility of caring for his siblings. He decided to work with CFA as an opportunity to give back to the community.
"I dream each client can live a life beyond AIDS, that they will be empowered to live a normal life without stigma.”
center history
YEAR GRADUATES FAITH-DECISIONS ORPHANS PREVENTED
2016-2017 80 29 208
2017-2018 78 6 186
2018-2019 73 8 254
2019-2020* N/A N/A N/A
2020-2021 80 12 146
*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.
graduate profiles
Josephine, 2021 Client
Josephine is 42 years old. She has five biological children and three orphaned children she looks after. She also lives with her ailing 86-year-old mother. They all live in one small house. For years, Josephine kept her HIV status a secret while also suffering from eye problems.
Josephine came to our program through a referral from a former client and was enrolled on the basis of being in need. While in the program, Josephine suffered the tragedy of losing her son under mysterious circumstances but stayed determined to continue learning and complete the program.
The weekly food package has been a big relief to her family during the nine-month program. Josephine has been encouraged to disclose her status to the family. She has also received new glasses through the program and shared: “Because of my eye problems, I have been experiencing severe migraines, forcing me to remain on painkillers. Using the spectacles, I am now able to stitch clothes for my children with my own hands. I wake up in the morning and after household chores, I take the Bible you gave me and read. I no longer experience regular headaches as before. I am very happy. May God bless you.”
Caroline, 2018 Dandora Graduate
Caroline is HIV-positive and has been struggling with health issues and complications for many years. Early this year Caroline was experiencing such bad stomach pain, she was unable to stand and had resigned herself to crawling on her knees instead of walking to minimize her pain. One of her friends and neighbors (a recent CARE for AIDS graduate) saw what incredible pain she was in, and recommended that Caroline join the CARE for AIDS program in Dandora.
Judy, the Dandora center health counselor, immediately took Caroline to the hospital to have her pain diagnosed. Judy quickly realized that Caroline had been avoiding going to the doctor because she didn't have enough money to pay her medical bills. Judy helped Caroline enroll in Kenya's National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and provided some funds to pay for her first three months' premium.
As soon as her coverage kicked in, Caroline went back to the hospital and was scheduled for stomach surgery. She went through an 8-hour procedure and was able to stay in the hospital for five days of recovery- it was all fully covered by her new insurance.
“Praise the Lord,” Caroline says, “Even though I was sick, I am thankful to now be getting better. There are others, like me, who also need help and cannot find any. I am so thankful for the help of CARE for AIDS. I am taking my ARVs and I know I am going to get well. Life is precious. Praise the Lord.”
Caroline graduated from the program at Dandora in December and is now making a living as a seamstress, one of the many skills she learned in the program. Her pain was healed through her surgery, and she is now part of a thriving church community.