Interview with Alda - HIV activist who helps Sara

I also used some quotes from this interview in the story. It was important to use quotes from Alda - because it is through Alda that CAFOD is helping Sara and her family. She also had some very strong quotes that said more about the programme - so it gave a different perspective on how it was helping.

Alda, 39: “I come and visit the children as much as I can, usually twice a week. My visits encourage them not to feel lonely. I bring their food parcels which are provided by CEDES and I help them cook dinner. I also show them how to ration the food they receive so that it lasts as long as possible.

“The food parcels they get contain the staple ingredients of maize, beans, oil and sugar. It doesn’t sound like much, but without this food, the family would be in danger of starvation.

“These children lost their parents at an early age so they have no role models. I show them how to take care of each other. This might be in practical ways, for example I teach them how to wash their clothes and keep the house clean. I also counsel them. I ask how they are feeling and I encourage them to talk to me about any problems they have.

“These children have experienced great suffering and trauma at a young age. They need care and support to overcome their sadness. I hope I can be a good role model for them.

“I am an HIV activist because I feel it is my obligation to help orphan children. If my own children were left without a mother or father, I hope somebody would care for them.

“If I didn’t help these children through my work as an activist, I’m not sure who would. I think they would be left alone to suffer and they would struggle to eat. That’s why this project is so important. We activists have had training and we understand the problems that HIV creates in this community. So many people are ill, and so many children are orphans. Without our help, these problems will just get worse.

Message: “I would like to thank CAFOD supporters for their kindness. Without your support, I could not do my work as an HIV activist and the orphan children I help would be left to survive on their own. Please continue to help us, especially with housing and food.”