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BY JEPHARSON AGUKO

FREELANCE JOURNALIST

IN KISUMU -KENYA AND A HIGHER DIPLOMA STUDENT IN MANCHESTER WRITERS BUREAU COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM

EMAIL: jeffotieno@yahoo.com

P.O. BOX 242 KISUMU - KENYA

KESWIDA BOOSTS AIDS VICTIMS IN NYANDO DISTRICT - KENYA

A Switzerland based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating under the flagship Kenya Swiz Development Authority (KESWIDA) has embarked on a well orchestrated campaign programme in Nyando District Nyanza Province Kenya and its environs aimed at crusading against the spread of the dreaded rampant disease HIV AIDs.

Speaking to this journalist the country's co-ordinator Norah Elizabeth Okeyo said that so far they've enrolled over 150 Aids victims to benefit from their programme. "Each and every month we cater for V.C.T costs, transport, Drugs and food for the over 150 victims and the number is expected to rise", Elizabeth who is the co-ordinator quipped.

During an intensive tour of Nyando District (Ahero) Town accompanied by the press, several mad that homes were completely shut with small children at the ages of 14 -16 shouldering the gigantic tasks of managing the homesteads.

According to the country's co-ordinator upholding barbaric cultural traditional practices, poverty, drug substance abuse and stigma is to blame for the rampant spread of the disease in that area.

With a staggering population of over 120,000 people only two V.C.T Centres one in Nyangande market a few miles from the shores of Lake Victoria and another in Ahero Township are left with the grueling and challenging task of battling the alarming spread of the disease.

Speaking on phone from Zurich after the extensive tour the Director of the institution Alfred Modi made a candid appeal to the Government and other donor agencies to extend some olive branch in order to salvage the desperate population which is soon facing extinction.

Perennial Nyando floods has made the infrastructure of the area to be an eye sore making communication in terms of transport to health facilities to be more of a donkey work.

The recent revival of Ahero Irrigation Scheme after over 6 years in limbo hasn't made meaningful economic changes to count on culminating to perpetual poverty and vulnerability.

Massive abuse of girl child, prostitution and child labour is the hallmark of the terrain and the government seems not bothered

In Ahero Township home to about 10 beer joints or night clubs, the desperation and vulnerability is exhibited by the fact that 1 dollar is enough and religiously pocketed by the hapless prostitutes for sex per night - a clear manifestation of entrenched poverty in the area which is worthy addressing.

Pictured is the desperate 14 year old standard 7 dropout whose parents died of HIV Aids. In the background is the peer educator Joel Onditi

Seven counselors from KESWIDA who were on the campaign trail met a shocking scenario where a 14 year old was desperately left in a mud thatched extensive homestead to manage it after the demise of his parents including their six children.

The family in Masogo village had died in a span of 3 years due to what had been diagnosed by health experts as HIV and AIDs related ailments. The hapless boy is now standard seven school dropout with nowhere to lean on.

END

Akelo nyar Kager, jaluo@jaluo.com

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