Case Study 1

Anthony MuyaChild's Name: Anthony Musa
Age: 7 Years
Sex: Male
Date of Admission: 25 January 2004.

Background:

Anthony and his three year old sister, Maria, were admitted to LVCP following referral from Kitale District Hospital and the Trans Nzoia District Children's Office.

The two children had accompanied their mother to the District Hospital some time in July 2003. Their mother subsequently died of an Aids opportunistic infection leaving the 2 children to fend for themselves. No-one ever came forward to claim the mother's body and so far no relatives have been found for the children.

Anthony and Maria stayed in the Children's Ward for 6 months surrounded by sickness and death. The nurses and other patients did their best to provide for them but food alone is not enough for 2 young children. The close environment, heavy with disinfectant, was taking it's toll; particularly on Maria who had all but given up talking.

During their stay at the hospital Maria contracted Tuberculosis and was tested HIV positive.

LVCP became aware of the children's plight from Hospital Staff who then processed the case through the Children's Department to authorise their admission to the project.

At npyt:

Both children were overjoyed to be at the project where there is space to play, age mates to play with and ample food, love and attention. Both flourished; Anthon putting on 3kg in almost no time, Maria also filling out became quite a chatter box.

February 2004 saw an outbreak of chicken pox in the region and inevitably within the project. Both Anthon and Maria contracted the disease; Anthon recovering quickly, but for Maria; her immune system already compromised; chicken pox consumed her and she was admitted back to hospital to the same ward that had been her home for so long. She died on 28th February 2004.

This was a severe blow for Anthony but with counselling and the love he was now receiving he managed to overcome the loss. After the burial on March 2nd his parting words were "Maria has gone to be with mum".

NOW:

Anthon is in Pre - Nursery class catching up on the education he had never had. He is an energetic young lad; social and frank. Though something of a slow learner he is keen and will certainly catch up. Health wise he is fine and continues to grow and add weight.

In line with LVCP's policy of locating family for all it's children the project Social Worker is planning exploratory visits to the farm where Anthony's mum had worked as a casual, and later to Turkana from where Anthon still remembers some details of their home.

Conclusion:

Anthon is developing well despite the enormous suffering he has witnessed and been through. As is Kenyan government policy he will only be tested for HIV if he becomes ill and a doctor deems it necessary for his treatment, or when he attains 18 years of age and wishes to be tested.

For the moment Anthon is a healthy and active member of the LVCP family.

Comment:

More and more children are being referred to npyt who are either HIV positive or already have fully blown Aids. This has lead to the need for staff awareness workshops and some policy decisions having to be made by the Management Committees: