Home to over 200 children infected with HIV and AIDS, Nyumbani, which means “home” in Swahili, was founded in 1992

‘Nyumbani’ is redefining ‘home’ for those who need one

by Andrew Adelmann

When Anna, a high school student from Canada, decided to spend her summer volunteering in Nairobi, Kenya, it was a decision that would impact her more than she ever thought it would.

One morning during her stay at Nyumbani, an orphanage for HIV and AIDS infected children, she was informed that the hemoglobin levels of 2-year-old Latya had fallen gravely low.

Without a blood transfusion, she would surely die, yet there was no matching blood donor in proximity of the remote orphanage.

Unaware of her own blood type, Anna volunteered to be tested and proved to be a match. In the makeshift hospital room in the back of the orphanage, the blood from Anna was used to save Latya’s life.

Home to over 200 children infected with HIV and AIDS, Nyumbani, which means “home” in Swahili, was founded in 1992 and now provides anti-retroviral therapy to all of the residents.

A different Jesuit home here in Chicago, Loyola University shares the same promise as Nyumbani: “to emphasize the importance of care for others and service that promotes social justice.”

Founded by Jesuit Missionary, the Rev. Angelo D’Agostino, Nyumbani is built on a foundation of faith based volunteerism.

Maintained by hundreds of different helpers ever year, the orphanage would not be possible without the benevolence of people like students at Loyola who donate their time.

“The residents of Nyumbani are helped by those who volunteer their services living in extremely difficult and trying situations,” D’Agostino said.

Responsible for the orphanage’s spirit and ongoing success are these links, like that between Nairobi and Chicago, believes Dr. Kathleen Harrison, coordinator of volunteers at Loyola.

“The children found to be truly HIV positive are given the best nutritional, medical, psychological, and spiritual care available,” Harrison said.

In a region where more than 50 percent of the population is infected, the orphanage hosts a diagnostic laboratory that offers advanced HIV testing for both the children and the community.

Yet in addition to the technical and medical service, it is the volunteers like Anna who also help save lives in a situation that is lethal for the majority of families living in sub Saharan Kenya.

While many of those helping come from what seem completely different worlds, Nyumbani helps restore a sense of social justice and unified family to those who may feel like it has passed them by.