Project Report
| Mar 7, 2017
Alyssa Graduates!
By Michelle Miller | Finance Director
![Alyssa]()
Alyssa
We would like to give our supportive donors an update on Alyssa who was enrolled in the clinic in August 2007. As with many of the children we meet, Alyssa’s situation was difficult with limited income and little access to food or medical care. She lived with her grandmother who has always been her greatest supporter!
Through the support of our school program, Alyssa’s health has greatly improved over the years and her viral load results are undetectable. She has been an active member of the support group, which has really helped her grow. She was a member of kids support group and now she is an active member of youth support group. This type of support was invaluable in giving Alyssa a positive outlook on life and convinced her to take her medical needs seriously. Alyssa then joined Marianist College for their hair dressing course. This was a two-year course and she graduated in May 2016.
When we recently checked back in with Alyssa, she expressed her appreciation for the support of the American Foundation for Children with AIDS in helping to make her dream come true to become a hair dresser. Please know that your generosity has truly made a difference in Alyssa’s life, and many others in our program. With our partners on the ground, the children and their families receive the support and monitoring they need to make this a very successful project. We are changing lives day after day. Alyssa feels your love, and so do we at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.
![Alyssa Acting in a Play]()
Alyssa Acting in a Play
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
Dec 6, 2016
Youth Share Experiences and Challenges
By Michelle Miller | Finance Director
![Youth 1]()
Youth 1
We're counting our blessings this holiday season at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. It's been a great year and we have some incredible projects lined up for 2017. All of them with the intention of helping HIV+ children and their caregivers break the cycle of poverty!
Our youth recently enjoyed a trip to Galaxy Voi Resort where they met with youth from three other facilities. This was a joyful moment for them as they interacted with each other. They were able to share their experiences and the challenges they face being HIV+. Our youth had fun! It helped each of them to see himself /herself as important and one who should live his life fully as there many people living with the HIV+ virus. Some of the youth have even volunteered to be the peer mentors in the facility!
During the visit, the youth had time to be in groups and share their challenges and successes in life. Many of the youth have been able to live their life positively. Most of them have been able to attend school at the primary, secondary, universities and also vocational training levels. They were given time to discuss the challenges they face going forward. Some of these challenges include:
-Time management
-Fear of disclosure
-Stigma
-Discrimination by friends
-Lack of support by the family members
-Being rejected as they want to enter into a relationship after they disclose their status to their partners
-Fear of asking permission for apppointments and bosses asking questions about their sickness
Consider how difficult it must be to face these challenges at such a young age. Your generosity is making a difference in lives of these children and young adults. Thank you for supporting our work! As you make your end of the year giving decisions, please keep us in mind so we can continue helping children in 2017 and beyond. We wish you the best year ever, full of every blessing and happiness imaginable, knowing you are a hope-giver. If you'd like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.
![Youth 2]()
Youth 2
![Youth 3]()
Youth 3
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
Sep 12, 2016
Keeping Zara in School
By Michelle Miller | Finance Director
![Zara]()
Zara
Let me introduce you to Zara, a child who was enrolled in our program in 2010. She was diagnosed HIV+ after the death of her mother. Zara now lives with her aunt who has always been supportive, even though caring for Zara can be challenging. A home visit was done for pyschosocial support for Zara and her family. Through the support of her family, she was able to join kids club where health talks are done. These talks were very helpful in understanding her health needs. Zara is also an active member of the youth support group at the facility.
Through the support of our education program, Zara is in class five at the academy. She is bright and did extremely well on her last exam. Zara's health is good, which gives her the opportunity to study hard and achieve her goals.
Your continued support of our education programs has made all of this possible for Zara and the other girls in our programs. Thank you for caring for these young lives. You have blessed them beyond measure!
If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org.
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
