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November 13, 2020Challenged
Eighteen-year-old Daniel, (name changed for privacy) is the last born of a family of three children. He was born with HIV, his mother died from aides, his elder sister has HIV as well as his father. He schooled as far as Form 1 (freshman) as his eye sight became so challenged he could no longer read. He became idle, stopped taking his HIV medications and began using drugs. He has no ambition and does not bother to hustle to make money. His older brother I met soon after I arrived in Kenya as he lived with Abdalla and they were great friends. Juma also lived in the same room with them. All that I knew about him I learned in the past several months from Abdalla as he would at times vent as to how frustrated he was with him because he would not assist in any of the household duties, sometimes disappear for a few days or just sit outside smoking dope. He was the main reason I was able to nudge Abdalla into starting his own business to earn enough to move and have a room to himself.
One day Abdalla asked me if I knew of any way of helping Daniel. You can imagine my hesitation to his request considering all the aggravation this boy has caused Abdalla which in turn for me. But I remained quiet and listened to his reasoning. After agreeing, I contacted Rich, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner and Florah, a native Kenyan, who manage Project HOPE to see if they could help. We agreed that if I took care of his medical issues so that he could again attend school, then they would fund his secondary education.
We then called a meeting with Daniel’s eldest sister, Daniel, Abdalla, Rich, Florah and I at my house. Together we discussed what we were willing to do for them, but when it came time to talk about his medical condition, Daniel, his sister and Florah did that in private outside my house. HIV is kept carries such a stigma, that never had they mentioned it to Abdalla who had lived with the family for almost four years.
Florah had suggested that we begin by taking him to an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor because of his hearing disability. Abdalla escorted him to a government hospital while I was in the US, he received medications and reacted favorably.
After my return Danial, Florah, Tete the taxi driver and I began our early Thursday morning trek to Kwale Eye Centre located on the South Coast distance away. It is a very nice Clinic ran by Dr. Helen Roberts from Britain, who has served and built the clinic over the years. Her first examination diagnosed he had so much inflammation behind the eyes she was unable to fully exam them.
Her first treatment was experimental to see how he would react, by giving him an injection in the better eye. The following week she injected the inferior eye with a steroid, the third visit to introduce two types of eye drops and yesterday she injected both eyes with steroids in preparation for cataract surgery during next week’s visit, beginning with the left eye and the following on the right. Both nights of the surgery he will be required to spend the night at the clinic.
Here lies my Challenge. I met all four members of this family and observe their lack of good characteristics. I won’t and shouldn’t get into my distaste for the way I perceive their actions. I struggle with myself as to why I continue to help this boy. More ministry money will be spent for Daniel than anyone else I have assisted since I have arrived and I think of all the good this money could be used for others in appreciation.
I am challenged as to what is God teaching me through all of this?
