THE NKHOMA FAMILY

When Dr. Sheneberger first met Kezias was angry and hopeless. He stated he knew he would either die from AIDS or shame. He and his 3-year-old brother, Sipo, were the two children with HIV of six born to his HIV positive mother. Just prior to meeting Kezias in 2010 his mom had passed away from AIDS, his father died of AIDS when Kezias was 2 years. He was living in 2-room cement house in Chawama compound with his 17-year-old sister, Doreen, who was raising the entire family when Living Hope was introduced to the Nkhoma family: Doreen, Kezias, Richard, the twins Daniel and Dansilo, and Sipo, plus Doreen’s daughter Suwi. Richard was staying with an uncle because there is no space in their 200 square foot two room house. Kezias was sleeping on a love seat, and the other family shared two double beds in the second room. The home had no running water or toilet facilities. Life was a struggle. There was a shortage of everything, but especially a future with promise. Kezias struggled with school and the pressing need to help Doreen support the family, and eventually chose to spend most of his time working. Kezias has come a long way; Charlie Johnson, who LHCF sponsored for three years came to Zambia and taught him how to live with a future and without shame, and how to be adherent with his ART so that he could control his HIV. Life is still harsh; never knowing from month to month if there will be enough money for food, transport, school fees, clothes, and other emergent needs. 

Living Hope Clinical Foundation is investing in Kezias and his family by supporting private school tuition for Sipo and Siwo, lunches and school supplies, providing school fees for the other children, and supplementing Doreen in her income generating business in retail clothing. Sipo is taking anti-retroviral therapy for HIV and thriving in his health and school work. Funds from Living Hope moved Kezias and his family into more suitable housing with running water, toilet and shower that provided room for Richard to join the family as well. Richard recently graduated from secondary school, and all the remaining children are doing well with their studies and Sipo has particularly excelled in school. Kezias has battled with AIDS and two years ago failed his treatment and had severe tuberculosis. He is now on new therapy and getting healthy again. He supports the family by selling shoes and clothing, manages a short-term loan business, and is hoping to start raising chickens. Their mother’s dying wish was that the family would remain together and with Living Hope support this has come true and all the children are in school and building for a strong future.