The Pulse

“They will tell you everything that is happening here.” - Colossians 4:9

HEART WEEP V o l u m e

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” —Psalm 30:5

Inside this issue: “From Death to Life”

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New Beginnings

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“WEEP No More” 2 WEEP Graduation WEEP Welcomes New Member

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A Closer Look

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HEART-felt Thanks

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WEEP Center Highlight

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I s s u e

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J u l y / A u g u s t

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“From Death to Life” What WEEP is All About Founded by Vickie Winkler, WEEP (Women’s Equality Empowerment Project) began in the year 2005. Many of the women of the WEEP centers ask Vickie why she decided to call this program WEEP. She responds, “Because I could hear HIV positive mothers weeping for their children.” The women then respond, “That was me you heard crying.”

who have been widowed or abandoned by their husbands and commits to pro-

As an orphan prevention initiative, WEEP empowers women, saving the lives of mothers suffering from the advanced stages of AIDS; therefore, their children are spared from being orphans. Operating in impoverished areas of Kenya, WEEP identifies HIV positive mothers

Beatrice Nyaranga joyfully showing off her sewing skills at the Embulbul WEEP Center

viding them with medical care, nutrition, vitamins, shelter, and access to ARV drugs. It also ensures that their children have the resources to attend school.

Once physically stable, the mother is taught a trade at the WEEP center where she not only becomes self-sufficient but receives PROPS training (Parent Rescue Orphan Prevention Strategy). She is taught skills to counsel other positive women both psychologically and spiritually. She is educated on Home Based Care (HBC) including drugadherence, nutrition, and the basics of HIV/AIDS. These WEEP women are then able to “prop” up other HIV positive women, empowering them to be stabilized physically, regain confidence, and then repeat the process by making an impact in the lives of others.

New Beginnings From August 18th to 20th, all of the women from the WEEP centers across Kenya gathered to attend a Business Launching Workshop. Through the leadership of HEART Staff Members Charles Wakaba, Evans Ndemo, Isaac Mzee, and Mary Ann Hiri, the women received training on standard business practices such bookkeeping

procedures, management techniques, and growth ideas. In addition, each individual woman met with Judy Stokes, HEART Consultant and small business owner, and Margaret Stockbridge, 2010 HEART Intern, who have formulated business plans for each woman. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, these women are not

Teckler Syombua, graduating Mathare WEEP woman, is launching a tailoring business

only able to start their own business including fish wholesale, milk business, tailoring business, and banana wholesale, but by the power of God and the empowerment of HEART, they are truly brought “from death to life.”

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The children surprise the crowd with a song before the graduation

The graduates finally receive their long-awaited diplomas!

Above: Families and fellow WEEP women gather to celebrate the graduates Below: Winkler, Dalton, and Adrian delight in seeing women from the WEEP Center call up HEART staff members to dance

The Pulse

“WEEP No More” WEEP Graduation 2010 After months of anticipa- To begin the graduation, After a few members of tion, the day finally the Kibera WEEP the HEART staff spoke on came—12 more WEEP Women gathered in front Kids for School, Freedom women graduated. Fami- of the stage to sing some for Girls, and WEEP, the lies, friends, graduating HEART staff, women entered and HEART from inside. supporters Their graduafrom all over tion song was Kenya gaththe beautiful ered at the sound of their HEART comvoices praising pound on SatGod. They each urday, August received their 21st to celediplomas with brate these smiles and women as hugs from WEEP Graduating Class they move forward to Lynn Adrian from USAID, of 2010 begin their own busiHelen Dalton from AED/ nesses. Preparation besongs. Then, as they beCAP Kenya, and Vickie gan the day before with gan singing—drip, Winkler from HEART. set up of large tents and drop—droplets of rain After the graduation came continued early the next began to fall from the to a close with prayer, morning as the HEART sky. It did not take long people swarmed the newly staff and some of the Robefore everything began graduated WEEP women taracter volunteers came to get soaked. It was deto congratulate them. together with “all hands cided to move the cereRandom outbursts of on deck” to ensure the mony focus to the back of singing, dancing, and ceremony ran smoothly. the tent area. With posilaughing filled the time The lawn of the HEART tive attitudes—and even while everyone celebrated compound was lined with praises—the graduation together. In the words of chairs and tables, which proceeded. With a smile, Isaac Mzee, who served as were subtly decorated Vickie Winkler, ExecuMC at the graduation, with flowers and photos tive Director of HEART, “these women we call of various HEART proreminded everyone, WEEP ladies will now jects. Guests began arriv- “Rain is always a blessing WEEP no more.” ing as early as 9am and here in Kenya, isn’t it?” continued to arrive WEEP Graduating Class of 2010 throughout the celebraFrom left to right in above picture: tion. The sun was out, Rodah Khayedekhana Rachel Waiyego the kids were playing games on the back lawn, Rosemary Akinyi Rose Adhiambio and people were filling Pauline Asiko Stella Wanjiku their plates with deliJane Akinyi Consolata Naliaka cious food. Everything Angeline Kabura Teckler Syombua went flawlessly—even Lydiah Wangari Alice Nduku* early! *not in above picture

Volume 1, Issue 1

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WEEP Welcomes New Member Lillian Atieno, 23, was introduced to the Kibera WEEP Center by Rodah Khayedekana, one of the Kibera WEEP women. After learning that she is HIV positive in October 2009, Lillian was left hopeless. Her brother chased her out of the home, saying that the only money he could offer her would be to buy her a coffin. Rodah, who met Lillian at the clinic she teaches at,

brought Lillian to the WEEP Center where she was introduced to Gladys, Kibera WEEP Coordinator, and Kyndal Riley, 2010 HEART Intern. After Kyndal’s family decided to sponsor Lillian so she could be a member of the WEEP Program, Kyndal spent the month of July helping Lillian get shelter, food, medical care, and basic household items for Lillian’s newly

A Closer Look

rented home. Soon after, Lillian began learning to make sweaters in the center. Kyndal poured the love of God onto Lillian, and although she is still shy, Lillian can now look into the eyes of others. Now that Kyndal documented Lillian’s journey into the WEEP Center, Lillian will serve as the example for how to become a WEEP woman.

Lillian Atieno

Rodah Khayedekana

Rodah dren, and it was graduates not uncommon for from her to go a day WEEP

without food. “I wallowed in self-pity and did not see why I should live,” Rodah said. “I had no hope, as my neighbors and relatives had all rejected me.”

Rodah Khayedekana, 36, discovered that she is HIV positive in the year 2005. Shortly after learning her status, Rodah’s husband abandoned her and her three daughters. As if that was not painful enough, her family disowned her, refusing to provide food or transport to the hospital. Unable to pay school fees, Rodah’s first born daughter had no choice but to drop out of school. Rodah’s landlord also threw her out because she could not afford rent, leaving her and her daughters with no place to sleep. She could not provide clothing for her chil-

Lillian Atieno

When Rodah came to the WEEP Center in 2007, her mouth had so many sores that she could not eat. In addition to being covered in skin rashes, Rodah was so weak that she could not even stand.

other HIV positive women by offering them counseling, helping them receive medical attention, and bringing them food. Rodah is also admired by her daughters Verity, Curity, and Purity, who now all attend Kibera Primary School. Not only does Rodah pay for her daughters’ education, but she also pays her own rent and electricity and eats a balanced diet of three meals a day. Being a generous woman, Rodah also fosters a 19-year old girl, who eats and sleeps in her home. “I am happy,” Rodah says. “Before I joined the WEEP Center, I didn’t know I could be happy and alive as I am today.”

Because of HEART’s support through the Kibera WEEP Center and PROPS training, today Rodah is not only healthy, but she is a blessing to her community. On top of sewing uniforms at the WEEP Center, she teaches Sunday school at her church and one week a month, she teaches at a local clinic in Kibera on Rodah HIV/AIDS. Admired by Khayedekana and many, she brings hope to her 3 daughters

Rodah and her sisters celebrate together

“Before I joined the WEEP Center, I didn’t know I could be happy and alive as I am today.” -Rodah

HEART HEART--felt Thanks ...to all of the sponsors of this year’s WEEP graduates.

HEART P.O. Box 63414-00619 Muthaiga Nairobi, Kenya East Africa Nairobi Office: 011-254-20-8512-596 Colorado Office: 303-730-3779 [email protected] Empowering the people of Africa to survive the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

www.africaheart.com

Barbara Nicolson and Walt Disney—For supporting Rodah Khayedekhana Bev Brown—For supporting Rachel Waiyego and Rose Adhiambio Ellen Bowman and family— For supporting Jane Akinyi Brianna McKenna and friends—For supporting Consolata Naliaka Jen Donahue and friends— For supporting Angeline Kabura

John and Elizabeth Murane—For supporting Teckler Syombua Lisa Van Sistine—For supporting Alice Nduku and Rosemary Akinyi

Little Women’s Circle of King’s Daughters—For supporting Lydiah Wangari and Stella Wanjiku

Wanda Summer—For supporting Pauline Asiko

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death.” —Proverbs 24:11

WEEP Center Highlight — Kibera The WEEP Center in Kibera was started by Gladys Shikule, who now serves as the center’s beloved “Mama.” With the support of Vickie Winkler, the center grew from a one roomed foundation to a 5 roomed center. Fifteen women are now members of the Kibera WEEP Center, where they sew uniforms, make sweaters, and craft all kinds of jewelry. Over 250 teams have visited the Kibera center, including a visit from Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the US Vice President. Biden warmly and graciously embraced each woman. “She hugged us and was not afraid of our disease,” the women later said. This WEEP Center has started a preschool, which is a means of education and a safe place for the WEEP women’s

children. However, it has quickly grown to support 54 children from throughout the community and has a waiting list to enroll even more. It serves as a haven

for children whose mothers must work but cannot afford child care. Many of these little ones were being left alone, locked in their homes, while Mom searched for food. Now they are learn-

ing and having lunch at school. The WEEP women of Kibera possess an unmatched joy and incredible personality. They delight in hosting visitors and gladly share their stories of redemption. When spending time with them, one would never know they are HIV positive. They are vibrant, beautiful, and so thankful. They sing and dance praise songs on a day-to-day basis and encourage one another always. Four of the Kibera WEEP women graduated on August 21st and will be continuing their lives, as they put it, “living positively” as CEOs of their own businesses. It is hard to believe that with only a single gift of $900, a woman can join WEEP and begin the journey that changes her life and the lives of her children forever.

Newsletter compiled by 2010 HEART Intern Katelyn Winslow