NAME: Janet Kendi Gitonga
CONSTITUENCY: Kinoru Location – Meru
DATE: 13th November, 2013
I gave birth to my baby but she started falling sick at the age of two weeks. I was in and out of hospital 9 times. At last the baby was tested for TB, he was give TB medicine for six months but after the dose was over he continued to be sick, he was tested for TB and it was negative but the baby was still very sick. I requested for the baby to be tested for HIV and AIDS and he was found to be positive.
I was couselled and I started taking the baby to clinic for two years, but for me I was healthy and I did not take the test. I did not tell anyone the status of the baby. The father fell sick and was admitted to Kiinia Hospital, he was tested for HIV and AIDS and it came out positive. He started taking the medicine (ARV’s). I also went to take the test after both the baby and the father were tested positive. I was found positive and I was told to take sertrin.
Marion Mworia (community worker) came round our homes and requested us to join the group (OASIS). While at OASIS, NCCK came and taught us on HIV and AIDS treatment, use of condoms even among couples, lessons of HIV, stages, balanced diet, even without money we can eat vegetables, yams, arrowroots, fruits etc. We were taught on stigma and our rights. My husband and I joined OASIS at the same time.
I also learnt that I can get a HIV negative baby from NCCK. I tried getting one and God blessed me with a healthy negative baby boy.
The boy is now eight months and very healthy. The baby is under sertrin and doing well. We assisted others from a group of sick children, we teach them on how to take care of the children. The group is called Meru Hospice Guardians. We teach them on the Children’s balanced diet, making soap and jik for sale, merry-go-round, giving loans e.g. 1,000 you return with 1% interest.
I would like NCCK to reach out other sick people who do not want to disclose their status. We would also like NCCK to assist us reach out to them and also assist our children in education by paying their school fees and also we would like our rights to be upholded especially in the employment sector.
I would also like NCCK to continue teaching us more on HIV and AIDS and also the community on the same.
