The Story of a Tanzanian Missionary

One day, I came across a girl sitting next to what looked like a little gray doll. When I got closer I realized the doll was a human baby. I asked the girl sitting next to the baby if it was her younger brother or sister. She said, “No, it’s my child.” At four months old, he looked like he hadn’t eaten since he was born; only skin and bones. He looked world-weary; for him life was too much of a fight already. With his shallow breathing and tiny little body, I was afraid he was going to pass away right there in my arms. His name is Adamu (Adam, in English).

 

Speaking with Lucia, his mother, I learned that she was 14 years old, a little girl herself. Both her parents had died, and she was HIV positive and had Tuberculosis. She had no interest in holding the baby as she was so sick herself. I ended up holding Adamu continuously for the next 5 hours, as I accompanied them to two different hospitals, trying to get treatment finally, they were admitted. Lucia was admitted to the ward for contagious diseases and Adamu had to stay in a crib in the Babies’ Ward. Adamu was started on a special formula for malnourishment.

 

Lucia’s Living Situation:
I asked Lucia about the father of the child, whom she stays with. She shared that he doesn’t care about her but she has no place else to go. Since her parents died, she was living with her uncle who also doesn’t want her. He wants her to return to her village. But if she did, she would not be able to get her medicine. She has just started taking Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) and did not have the resources to travel back and forth. This latter option would not be good for her well- being and health.
The following day, I went on a home visit to where Lucia lives with the HBCV (Home-Based care volunteer group). I wanted to speak with the family and hear their side of the story. When we walked into the house there were 8 little children sitting on the concrete floor, along with 4 or 5 teenagers, but no adults. Her uncle wasn’t there.
There was no furniture in the house—nothing but the floor. This was the environment that Lucia lived in. How did Adamu survive as long as he did? The HBCV said that a lot of the time, when a family finds out that someone is sick with HIV because of fear they no longer want them. Lucia needs food, she’s never been to school, has no parents and no skills to earn money— she needs someone to care for her too. It is heartbreaking! There are hundreds of these stories we hear and witness daily.

 

Your Hands and Feet in Tanzania East Africa

Jeff and Diane