Day Care for HIV positive Children
The day care center for HIV positive children is situated in Moshi Rau area. The area is poor and the number of HIV positive people is high. The day care center was founded in 2008 by A Finn Camilla Sherr. Camilla works as a homeopath in Tanzania and she noticed how many parents have to leave their children home while trying to find ways to make a living. Many of the kids are malnourished and they have HIV. The medication for HIV is un-effective if the patient is in poor condition.
The day care was founded by the help of private donors. Its existence is constantly at stake due to uncertain funding. Same Sun NGO wants to support the day care center and thus also the underprivileged families at Rau area.
There are three HIV positive women working at the day care center. Upendo works as a kindergarten teacher, Lydia and Albina are preparing food for the children twice a day. In addition, Juliana, 15, is working as an assisting teacher. She is also HIV positive. The staff is trying to prepare nutritious food for the children because in many cases that is the only food they get. There are about 30 children enlisted at the day care center, aged 3-8 years. The oldest kids would be ready for school if only there was money for their school books and uniforms.
The expenses of the day care center consist of staff salaries and food supplies. The premises of the day care center are free, a donation from Tanzanian Tredo NGO.
A normal day at the day care starts at 8 am and ends at 3 pm. During the day, the children learn letters, numbers, English language and Swahili. Bigger children are following the teaching while smaller ones play on a big mattress. Children love music, dancing and singing. There are a few baskets full of donated toys which are used a lot by the kids.
Regardless of poverty and their disease, the children are happy and cheerful. Visitors will get a warm welcome with hugs and happy laughter. Karibu – Welcome in!