 |
Nursery care for AIDS orphans Training volunteers to provide nursery care for AIDS orphans is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. In poverty-stricken Malawi, Africa, one million people are living with HIV, the infection that causes AIDS. 83,000 of them are children. It is estimated that half a million children have lost their parents because of AIDS. Eleven years ago, Sister Lilia Conol became involved in AIDS ministry as a home-based care provider in Limbe, Malawi. She saw the large number of children orphaned by AIDS. In response to this need, which has grown over the past decade, Sister Lilia and other volunteers began day care and nursery schools for those under 5. Sister Lilia now coordinates 22 nursery orphans' centers, which are staffed by volunteers. She gives workshops to the caregivers on orphan care and early childhood development. She also is in charge of administering school fees, and sees to it that selected girl orphans receive a basic education. "Our concern to mitigate the effects and impact of HIV/AIDS through voluntary care for the most vulnerable nursery orphans in this epidemic has brought more people to realize that they can contribute and share their wealth with these little ones," Sister Lilia says. Close to 1,000 orphans and needy children participate in the nursery centers. The children in the feeding program receive a full meal each day, as well as soya-maize porridge. In one center, elderly grandparents also receive meals. Girl orphans attending secondary schools have an opportunity to themselves administer the nursery centers as they become more qualified. Sister Lilia shares that, "Grassroots volunteers are increasing in number, communities are alert and supportive of their volunteers' work to feed their orphans and needy, and local donors are willing to help." "We can only do our best; we let God do the rest!" says Sister Lilia. "I have been humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of graces…for the thousand and one little ones who need an early head start in life to keep them from 'drowning' in a sea of needs. I know God's presence is active and alive in this task!"
home
|
|
|
||||||||
