Nun on front lines battling AIDS in Kenya

Published: 2005-07-18

LAPORTE, Ind. (CNS) -- Sabina, a 60-year-old Kenyan woman who traditionally would be cared for by her children or grandchildren, is currently caring for her grandchildren, as HIV/AIDS has claimed the children's parents. Sabina's plight is not unique in her native land, where 10 percent of the 33 million people -- about 3 million Kenyans -- are HIV-positive and only 25,000 Kenyans have access to medication. Some hope for these people can be found in the services offered by Upendo Village, whose founder and president, Sister Florence Muia, spoke July 9-10 at St. Peter Church in LaPorte. Opened in May 2003, the village has provided shelter, health care, counseling and advocacy for more than 5,000 people. Sister Florence, 48, an Assumption Sister of Nairobi, addressed the continuing struggle with AIDS in her native Kenya, a country with 1.5 million orphans. Adding to the problem, she said, are drought and poverty, which lead to malnutrition. Also, a lack of understanding has led to an AIDS stigma, which in turn leads to isolation, hopelessness and fear.

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