Bei der Hauspflege handelt es sich um das Unterstützen von sehr kranken AIDS Patienten. Eine Betreuerin besucht die Patienten zu Hause, weil sie nicht gesund genug sind um das Haus zu verlassen. Oft haben sie auch keine Energie um etwas für sich selbst zu kochen. Deswegen bekommen die Patienten wenn sie Glück haben Besuch. Die Betreuerin bringt Essen (Gemüse, Öl, Getreide, Reis, Obst) und Hygieneartikel (Seife) und kocht etwas leckeres. Manchmal muss man auch Medikamente bringen. Kenntnis über HIV/AIDS ist nötig, so dass man die Patienten über ihre Krankheit informieren und wichtige Hinweise geben kann. Das Sprechen mit den Patienten ist wichtig: Manche fühlen sie sich komplett allein und fürchten sich vor Ihren Lebensbedingungen. Oft sind die andere Familienmitglieder schon an AIDS gestorben und die hinterbliebenen Patienten haben Angst vor den AIDS Symptomen und ihrer Zukunft damit. Ich habe als Betreuerin in Arusha gearbeitet, es ähnelt der Spitex aber ohne Krankenpflege. Nur 5 CHF für Lebensmittel pro Besuch waren nötig. Es ist nicht schwierig AIDS Patienten kennenzulernen, es ist für mich erfüllend, Zeit mit diesen Leuten zu verbringen. Man braucht nur Mitgefühl und die Sprache Kiswahilli. Die Patienten haben es gern einen Besuch jede Woche zu erwarten: Es bietet ihnen eine bisschen Freude. Liebe und Sorge ist für uns alle wichtig. Ich bin der Meinung, dass Liebe kurz vor der Ende des Lebens zu bekommen am wichtigsten ist.
First Newsletter from Arusha
“Sarah! Asteria is nowhere to be found and the grant money is missing!” This is the greeting I received one Friday morning upon my arrival at WEMA; the NGO I had been working with for a month and half.
Indeed, the donor was there and he was fuming! As it turned out, Asteria who was the director and founder of WEMA had cleared the bank account and vanished; leaving over one hundred people living with HIV/AIDS and sixty-three orphans in her wake. Now, you may think: how awful, how surprising, what bad luck to be a part of WEMA! But, let me assure you that this occurrence is so prevalent here that there is even a Swahili word for it! Yes, one could say my naove and idealist beliefs regarding the innate purity of non-governmental organizations here in Africa has, to say the least, become more informed!
By the time I had actual evidence to prove the suspicions that had been brewing in my mind during my volunteer activity at WEMA I was already emotionally involved with the patients and orphans who I had been administering medication, food, school supplies and psychological counseling to. I felt that I couldn’t just leave them now; my heart would not let me. Many of the people I took care of had been abandoned before and were suffering from so much pain- pain I would probably never fully comprehend. I came to Africa to help and here was my opportunity. I would simply have to figure out a way on my own and start really getting involved in the community of Arusha, Tanzania.
This first newsletter will explain my initiation into the AIDS situation in Tanzania and the first personal project I have undertaken as a result of the dissolution of WEMA.
My first ‘real life-non-mass media’ experience with HIV/AIDS began on January 26th when I traveled to the home of Fatima, a 14 year old girl who was dying from the virus (I have attached her picture). I had brought with me a cuddly pink blanket, rice, various fruits and a story book. We have all seen the photographs of people who are close to death from AIDS, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. Fatima was beyond emaciation and lacked the strength necessary to even hold up her head. She had stopped talking 6 months previously and had given up eating all together. Fatima did not appear to be cognizant of what was occurring around her; when I noticed that her eyes kept rolling in the back of her head, I could not help but sense how badly she wanted to simply let go of the misery. Fatima’s acquisition of the deadly virus was shrouded in secrecy; all that I was told was that her HIV positive status had been discovered two years earlier, when she was only twelve years old. Fatima’s Mother, whom was not infected with HIV, showed me a picture of her daughter taken three years previously. In that picture I saw an adorably plump little girl, whose facial expression portrayed curiosity and excitement, with fear and grief I imagined the horrific experience Fatima had endured when she was infected with HIV.
Each day, I walk down Sokoine road and witness the same three or four year old girl, running alongside each man that passes by, grabbing at his hand. Some men go with her out of sight, as her mother sits not to far away with one arm around an infant and the other outstretched to accept change. I find it striking how truth can be so blatantly obvious here, yet those involved find it necessary to mask it. As an outsider I don’t understand the reason for this yet, but then again, that is what I am: An outsider who does not have to endure this reality everyday of my life… how could I begin to understand?
One person is infected with HIV every 6.4 seconds. There is not one HIV story, there are millions. Each person I meet who is infected is an individual, with their own past, present and future.
The first project I have taken on during my year long stay in Africa is one which involves visiting 5 patients who are living with HIV/AIDS. I would like to describe one particular relationship I have developed with Moses and Halima: a married couple who are both HIV positive.
On February 1st, I traveled to Nembala, a very remote village with food and medication to the room of Moses and Halima I was instantly struck by the appearance of Moses who was only thirty-one years old. His body was simply skin covering bones, his eyes portrayed determination mixed with shame, his legs no longer enabled him to walk and he urinated with the assistance of a catheter. He had been taking ARV medication for 3 years and was currently in dire need of fluconozone. Acquisition of this medication was very important as he had an infection was interfering with his ability to eat and food consumption is pertinent for the effective metabolism of ARV medication. Moses asked me if I could procure the medication for him as he could not afford it and eagerly I responded “Ndiyo, hamna shida, rafiki yangu”- “Yes, don’t worry my friend”. As I left their room I was happy as I saw hope.
Even though there I had no support from WEMA, I made up my mind that I was going to get that medication for Moses no matter what; I had promised! After doing an interview about my volunteer work in Arusha with a Dutch magazine, the journalist made a wonderfully kind decision to donate! The donation was enough to enable me to buy medication and food for my five patients for an entire month!
The very next day I set off on my own to Nembala, armed with fluconozone, food, soap and a newspaper. When I arrived and saw Moses, I was completely taken aback as he seemed to have aged ten years in only two weeks. Halima’s condition had also worsened; her weak body shook violently each time she coughed and her coughing lasted the duration of my visit. I quickly administered the medicine and cooked a meal for them. My mind was filled with a grey cloud, before my eyes lay the destructive force of AIDS; I prayed that the medication would work quickly….
Two weeks later I returned with more supplies and discovered that Moses’ infection had been cured! During my conversation with the couple I learned of their fears; it had been eight months since Moses had been examined by a doctor as whenever he had been able to make his way to the local clinic the doctor had not been there. Moses felt like he no longer mattered and that this world had given up on him. It was obvious that his musculature was wasting away and this caused him great pain, he also had a strange large lump on his lower spine. As I examined his body, I was filled with fear; I was not a Dr. and had no idea what the lump was. All I could do was take note of all his symptoms and make a new promise: to find a doctor who would be willing to travel with me upon my next visit.
Through a network I have established in Arusha, I was able to persuade Dr. Shayo to make the two hour journey with me to Nembala. Can you imagine the joy, disbelief and sheer amazement on the faces of Halima and Moses when I showed up three days later with a medical doctor? Dr. Shayo brought with him lots of expensive and useful medicines and examined both patients. With physical therapy Moses should regain his ability to walk and thus my next mission is to find a physical therapist. I have attached a photo of Moses and I, which was taken last Tuesday- he is doing better then ever! One can live a long time with HIV if he/she is provided with adequate medication, plenty of food and compassion.
A few days after I first met Fatima I had a nightmare in which I was an AIDS patient. In that nightmare, I was lying on my bed feeling weak, alone and desperately frightened. The emotions in that nightmare were indescribably intense. The memory of those feelings is ever present in my mind and currently functions as the fuel which drives me each day. I believe that “it is in giving, we receive”, as witnessing the courage with which Moses, Halima, Rose, Nembris, Mama Mosha, Bene and Advela face life, is a gift for which I will forever be thankful.
An Update on Moses, August 29, 2007
I would like to fill you all in on how Moses is doing. In April (after I sent you the newsletter), I brought Moses to see Dr. PalaPala, who was the doctor I had just started working with. Well, to my dismay, when Dr. P examined Moses and looked at the X-rays, he determined that Moses had been misdiagnosed initially and that he actually had TB of the spine. This meant that no amount of physical therapy would ever help Moses walk again. When I heard this, I felt nauseous, as I had been actively giving Moses hope and now, had let him down.
If you recall, Dr. Shayo had reached the conclusion that with physical therapy, Moses would be able to walk again. That resulted in my running around Arusha trying to find a pro-bono physical therapist. (A hard thing to accomplish when the only physical therapist in the area works for the government hospital, if you catch my drift).
However, now all of a sudden, Dr. P was talking about the need for a very expensive surgical procedure with the only spine specialist in Tanzania who was located ten hours away in Muhimbili! I was dumbfounded. But Halima and Moses just looked at each other with such a profoundly optimistic and loving gaze – they did not lose faith for even one second, unlike me, the doubting Thomas! That’s what I mean about the Tanzanian people I have met – they are infinitely more courageous than I will ever be.
Alas, the four of us got to work. Halima sorted out all the necessary documentation to prove to the Tanzanian government that Moses had been a police officer. This leads to the government paying for the transportation costs. I still really don’t know how she managed it! Dr. P contacted Dr. Ole in Muhimbili and arranged for a special visit – beating the waiting list! I contacted friends back home and raised the $350 necessary for the operation – thanks everyone! So many other details had to be taken care of during this period. As such, it was a very intense time for all involved.
The appointment with Dr. Ole was arranged. Moses asked me to go with him and Halima to Muhimbili. I really wanted to go with them but had to keep working in Arusha. So, with tears, we said goodbye and they left for the hospital on June 4th. Moses was examined by Dr. Ole four days later and he confirmed the need for surgery. They had no choice but to stay at the hospital for an entire month before the surgery date. (The Tanzanian government wouldn’t do a “favor” by paying for a person’s transportation costs twice, you can be sure of that!)
Well, my dear friends, the wait was worth it as the surgery was a success! I have not gotten to see Moses walking as I transferred my HIV/AIDS work to Johannesberg, South Africa on July 7th. I received a letter last week from Halima and she told me that Moses is as determined as ever and is making light-speed progress! I will be seeing my dear friends once again in December and hopefully Moses won’t be camera shy. That picture should be a good one!
Once again, I’d like to thank you all for your amazing support of me and my friends here in Africa.
