CARE FOR AIDS EXISTS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO LIVE A LIFE BEYOND AIDS.

"We have restated our purpose at CARE for AIDS. We exist to empower people to live a life beyond AIDS - the life we envision for our clients is a physical life, but we also want people to be restored emotionally, socially, economically, and, most importantly, we want people to experience an eternal life beyond AIDS."

Justin Miller, co-founder and CEO

I'M GRATEFUL TO JESUS BECAUSE HE GAVE ME THESE PEOPLE TO WALK WITH ME. 

- ANNE, CARE FOR AIDS GRADUATE

Anne is a 2016 graduate of Waithaka Center. Six months after graduation, her class had a follow-up meeting at the center. To close the meeting, Anne stood before the entire class and gave this inspiring testimony. Waithaka center is led by Dorcas Mwende, Health Counselor, and Dan, Spiritual Counselor, both of whom Anne references in her story.

“One day, Mwende came and found me at my house. At that time my CD4 count was 202.* I felt like I was dying. On the day Mwende came, I had bought four packets of rat poison. It was enough that I could take and kill myself. Mwende brought me here to the church. After some time, I told her I needed to hurry up and leave. I wanted to get back home before the kids got back from school. I wanted to the take the poison and die before the kids got home. But Mwende went back home with me. She stayed until 4 pm, after the kids had already returned home. So I didn’t take the poison. This is how God lifted and preserved my life.

From that day on, there was a word from God that I couldn’t get out of my mind. ‘Why should you die? You have a lot of work that I want you to do for me still.’ And that’s why when I talk to others who are also HIV positive, I tell them, 'There is still life ahead of you even after you realize your status.'

When I found out that I had tested positive, I thought that everything was gone. I thought I was the only one in the whole world in this state. But then Mwende brought me to this church. Can you imagine someone who intended to take rat poison is where I am now? I wanted to kill myself but now I stand here today, and I’ve even brought another life into this world.** 

All I can say is that CFA truly brought me from the ground all the way up. From this program, I’ve learned how to make soap, and I’m proud to sell it. I also have learned how to do tie-and-dye; you may have even seen me wearing some of the work I have done. But what’s best about this program isn’t the skills or the food we receive but that the word of God is taught.

You know, I never used to smile, but now you see that I can smile. Dan used to call me, and I would tell him to stop calling, because I was in the company of others, and I didn’t want them to overhear. But now, I can pick up the phone and respond anywhere. You can even look at me and see that I am fat now.*** This is a group that will raise you from the ground up. From zero to hero. 

I’m grateful to Jesus because he gave me these people to walk with me. I’m proud of each of you for being here. Be thankful for this opportunity. God bless you.”

* A normal range for CD4 cells is about 500-1,500. When the CD4 count drops below 200 due to advanced HIV disease, a person is diagnosed with AIDS. (https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/diagnosis/labs-CD4-count.asp)

** Anne has a 2-month-old baby boy.

*** By saying she is “fat now," Anne means she is healthier; she is able to eat well and gain weight. 

"ITS BEEN TEN YEARS, AND I AM THANKFUL FOR LIFE. I KNOW I WILL CONTINUE LIVING."

-SARAH, CARE FOR AIDS GRADUATE

CARE for AIDS launched ten years ago, and we are in awe of the generosity and commitment of our supporters and partners. In 2017, we celebrated our 10th birthday as well as the graduation of our 10,000th client.

In the past ten years, CARE for AIDS has opened 50 centers, celebrated with 10,053 graduates, and rejoiced as 2,646 clients made first-time faith decisions in the course of the CARE for AIDS program. One of the most exciting numbers from the past ten years, though, is the number of dependent children represented by our clients. Our 10,053 graduates represent 32,655 children who are no longer at risk of being orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis. 

When we first met Sarah, she was bedridden and alone. Her husband had died of HIV/AIDS, and she had been rejected by her neighbors and community. She joined the first class of CARE for AIDS clients in 2008. Now, nearly ten years later, we checked in on her to see how life is going. Hear Sarah's update below: 

CARE FOR AIDS PROGRAM MODEL

Each CARE for AIDS center operates within an African church, which is local, cost effective, and discreet for our clients. The center has two local Kenyan or Tanzanian staff workers who guide 80 clients through a nine-month process. We have adopted a collaborative model that delivers better care for a reduced cost by partnering with hospitals, other NGOs, and corporations to help provide medication, food, Bibles, education, and training. 

WHERE WE WORK 

NEW INITIATIVES

As CARE for AIDS continues to grow, we are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve our programs. This year we are launching a pilot project that will allow us to expand our services to a larger population. Below is a brief overview of our main pilot project for 2018. 

Each CARE for AIDS center will operate for 8-10 years in a community. In 2018, we are piloting the concept of splitting this program lifespan into four distinct program phases. Each phase will have specific goals and timelines.

Phase 1: Outreach

During phase one, CARE for AIDS staff will design and operate community-based sensitization programs including HIV testing services. This phase will double as a recruitment mechanism as well as an opportunity to educate the general community and reduce HIV-related stigma. 

Phase 2: Orphan Prevention

Phase two is a version of the current model for clients who are most vulnerable and at risk of death due to opportunistic infection. 

Phase 3: Open Recruitment

Phase three is a version of the current model open to any HIV+ client regardless of their physical health status. 

Phase 4: Ongoing Sustainability 

Phase four is an opportunity to invest further in our partner church and former clients. This phase also allows us to create greater sustainability in communities after CARE for AIDS exits. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE A LIFE BEYOND AIDS? 

HIV is not simply a disease of the body. In East Africa, being HIV+ can mean being separated from your family, cut off from community, and even rejected from the church.  To live a life beyond AIDS may seem an impossible dream for many of our clients before they enter the program. As Michael Mwaura puts it, "our life was in darkness...total darkness". 

Hear Michael tell his family's story and learn what a life beyond AIDS looks like for the Mwauras: 

NEW STAFF 

2017 FINANCIALS