For another 3 months we continued to give the children nutritional food and supplements. On June 28, 2010 our dreams were achieved, as the health of all 90 of the children had improved. Diana (12 years old), and Benson (10 years old) were still very sick after the first 3 months, but by the end of 6 months, they were looking much better! Praise God! Proper nutrition plays an important roll to healing, and can help children to get back on top in their battle against HIV.
Now comes the challenge of providing these nutrients to others living with HIV. Parents and guardians who saw how our nutrients made such a difference in the health of those in the study are now pressing us to help their children, too.
Rev. Simeon Jumba meets with ten year old Ruth at the hospital where she’s been abandoned by relatives. Ruth’s parents died of AIDS & Ruth is HIV positive. She needs a home to go to; she needs to go to school. The hospital has asked Pastor Jumba to find an accommodation for her.
There are so many children like Ruth who need our help. It seems that they have no one else to turn to but the Christian community. It may seem to them that no one cares, but Jesus does! Together we can show them His love.
In December, 2009, Benson was a 10 year old boy who was dying because of AIDS. Although he was on Antiretroviral drugs, his condition continually worsened. When Benson started the Aid the Children study, he weighed 50 lbs. After the first three months, his weight had dropped to just 44 lbs. Before the study his CD4 count (white blood cells) was 40. After the first 3 months, it was down to 24.
Benson was very sick, and because his immune system was no longer functioning, his body was covered with sores. There were only 3 children whose health had not greatly improved during the first 3 months of the study, and Benson was one of them.
In response to his worsening condition, we increased the amount of our supplement that he was receiving, and added a second supplement. We waited and prayed. Finally the second three month period was over. What had become of Benson? Much to our delight, not only didn't he die, but our nutrients helped to strengthen his body, allowing his medications to do their job.
By God's grace, Benson is well on his way to recovery.