A little bit goes a long way

Maxwell is 3 and a half years old and the younger brother of two of our brightest sponsored students. Last weekend, Maxwell was playing outside of his house, fell down and badly injured his arm. While visiting his older brother three days after his accident, we met Maxwell and learned about what happened. He was unable to move his arm and it was swollen to almost two times its normal size.

His mother told us that she took him to a local clinic and they gave him medicine to rub on it. She could not afford to go to a decent hospital and get an x-ray or proper treatment so she just had to hope that it would heal properly on its own (which we all realize is unlikely).




We knew that it was serious and if his arm did not heal properly, he would be affected by it for the rest of his life. So we offered to cover the costs of the hospital and his mom took him the next day.

When we returned to visit Maxwell yesterday, we found Maxwell in a cast and a sling. It turns out that his arm was completely dislocated from its socket and broken in three places. The total costs (transport to and from the hospital, examination by a doctor, the x-ray, the cast and sling, and medicine) came to $13.

We are happy that we can help even in small ways such as this and thanks to our donors, Maxwell is now doing okay and on his way to recovery!

Remembering Jenny

Last year and earlier this year, we wrote about a 15 year-old girl named Jane (or "Jenny") who was HIV positive. We met Jenny in August 2008 when she was admitted to the HIV/AIDS ward of the hospital and in the bed next to one of our regular patients.

By spring of 2009, Jenny had regained her health and wanted more than anything to return to school. Thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, we were able to sponsor her to attend high school.

Almost 2 months ago today on June 20, 2009, we received the heartbreaking news that Jenny had passed away in her sleep at the age of 16.

Jenny was an orphan and lost both of her parents to AIDS. She was born HIV positive. She struggled with her health throughout her life as a result. However, she was determined not to let the disease get her down and fought until the end. We met her because she saw us buying our patient juice and she spoke up that she too would like some juice (and soda and cookies and fruit). We sponsored her because every time we would visit her at home, even when she could barely sit up, she would remind us "what about school?" She attended school up until the day before she passed and never gave up.

She was a fighter and an inspiration and we miss her very much.

Our Under 10 team could take it all!

All four of our boys soccer teams (Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 17) are currently participating in a tournament against other teams from throughout Kibera.

Their first match was today. The Under 12 and Under 14 teams unfortunately lost (3-0 and 1-0, respectively) and have been eliminated from the tournament.

The Under 17 team's opponent did not show up so they have automatically advanced to the next round.

The Under 10 team was scheduled to play two matches. They played really well and won the first match in an intense shootout. They did not miss a single goal, while the other team missed two. During the shootout, a giant crowd gathered to watch and all eyes were on the Uweza team. The boys were all so excited when they won, they were jumping all over each other, cheering and running around. Most (if not all) of the boys are from very poor families and many are orphans. It was really great to see them having such a good time and getting the chance to feel proud of themselves.

For their second match of the day, the opponent dropped out of the tournament so the Under 10 team will automatically advance to the semifinals. Prizes for the winners of the tournament include balls, shoes and new uniforms so keep your fingers crossed!

We also managed to provide lunch for all of the boys during the course of the day, which they seemed to enjoy almost as much as playing soccer.

August Report from Counselors

Click HERE to read the report written by the counselors that we have hired to work with the Tunza kids about their work during the month of August.

Taking Cyrus to school

Last year, we wrote about a 16 year old boy named Cyrus who is a resident of Tunza Children's Center. In October, Cyrus made the terrible mistake of ingesting methylated spirit with juice. Luckily, we were at the center and with the help of many generous donors, we were able to cover all the costs of his hospital care and likely saved his life. Unfortunately, Cyrus is now completely blind.

This year, thanks to sponsors from Australia, Cyrus is attending a Technical School for the blind. He is learning to read and write braille and also learning the skills that he will need to live on his own. He has a great attitude, a true zest for life, despite the hard hand he has been dealt in life, and is determined to make the best of a truly difficult situation.

He will finish the technical school this November and will then start Class 8 at a school for the blind, which he was close to finishing when he lost his sight. After Class 8, he will move on to high school. He hopes to become a lawyer someday.

Last Wednesday, I (Jen) went with Cyrus as he returned for his second term of school. I took some pictures of the school and they are below. We are so grateful to everyone that donated to Uweza to help Cyrus and to his school sponsors. The support has not gone to waste. Cyrus expresses his gratitude every day and I never cease to be amazed by him.