GRASSROOTS EFFORTS TO HELP AIDS VICTIMS

We also toured several self-help projects in nearby Machungulu, Kenya.

We visited women with AIDS and heard about an AIDS widows group composed of 150 women who had lost their spouse to AIDS. This group arranges for widows to receive micro-lending loans to earn money. They also care for over 300 AIDS orphans.

We drove past their elementary school -- hundreds of children playing in the long grass laughing and waving. We were met by women siging a welcome song; then walked through their weekly medical clinic and then met in their church.

All of these projects are owned and run by the community. The Maua Methodist Hospital provides assistance and more information can be obtained from the Machungulu Palliative Care Project, PO Box 172 60600, Maua, Meru North, Kenya.

These programs were the brainchild of missionaries Dr. Dietmar Zieglar and his wife, Sr Brigit Zieglar who were tragicallykilled in an automobile accident in Kenya.

The clinic obtains and provided AIDS drugs at a very reduced price. They have a small car provided by a grant from the Diana Fund. They can screen for HIV and provide results in 17 hours.

They also hand out clothing that is donated by individuals in the community.

They are currently building a daycare facility which will house classrooms, administistrative offices, a community credit union, a fellowship hall, a kitchen and the clinic. All of this is paid for by "fair trade" products" and all is organized by the methodist Church in Kenya.

When this started, no one would talk about AIDS. Now everyone wears an AIDS pin. They were burying at least one AIDS victim a week which is no longer the case. Their next goals are to continue to fight the stigma of HIV, make their volunteer effort sustainable, maintain their current standards and start a food bank.

We asked, "Is this program unique?" They said, "Yes. Others look to outsiders for help. This is the only one we know of in Africa that is a self help, community based, grassroots effort. There are lots of African groups now coming to see this project. We are also making presentation about our projects outside Africa."

We were told that it costs about 1,000 Kenyan shillings to build "one rafter" in the new building. Everyone on the team was so moved that we each made a contribution towards the effort.

Afterwards, we had lunch for the final time at the Maua Methodist Church and were driven to our hotel. We loaded up our luggage and headed for Meru.