Bitature Boniface  is 9 years old. Bitature is physically challenged, looks like a four-year-old child and is living with a physically challenged mother Twikirize Leo Cardiyo 41, in Kasusano Kitagwenda Western Uganda. At the time of being selected to be enrolled in the HIV ART Programme, the family was practically living on the streets with no shelter yet living with HIV/AIDS.

 When they were selected, Baylor re-joined Twikirize and her son with her brother, who offered shelter.

Their story dates as far back as 2013 when Twikirize’s husband died suddenly after living with an unknown ailment then. Twikirize who was fully pregnant with Bitature after visiting an antenatal clinic was found to be infected with HIV/AIDS and therefore enrolled in the Baylor program.

She gave birth to a son with weak limbs and years later the Son was found with severe weakness in all limbs that would neither enable her to stand nor walk by himself. “I felt like God had totally abandoned me. I lost my husband, had tested positive for HIV/AIDS, my son was born crippled and we had no shelter then !!” said Twikirize nearly tearing.

Baylor in a partnership consortium with IBC and  WONETHA   in,  Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, sourced and enrolled the family. “The mother is now suppressed and we hope the child too will be suppressed. We are now following up to see If the mother really gives her son drugs on time” said Patricia Musimenta Baylor case management officer at Nyabani Health center 3 in Kitagwenda.

The biggest challenge is that they hardly have a source of Income. Bitatures mum, is a casual laborer who hardly earns enough to feed her family. Her caretaker brother is a pastor in a local church and has no stable income.  “Food and clothing are a challenge, but there is hope that we get our supply of drugs in time. Every day I have hope that the next day will be better” said Twikirize.

The project supported by IBC and WONETHA hopes to a Provide Healthy, Safe, Stable, Schooled, and case management services to eligible OVC and their families and graduate families out of vulnerability by 2023