MY STORY STANDING UP

For over 13yrs i have Volunteered, dedicated my life in finding solution for the helpless in my Community.I visit the Sick, the aged, Youth, mostly the Children who are abandoned, orphaned and the defiled cases.

So, i have several cases that i have found solution but, the following are the most recent ones.

Bianca is a disabled girl whose both parents died of the deadly disease HIV/AIDs. She was the only child, four years old. Her aunt was my immediate neighbour. She used to lock her inside in their one roomed house most of the times. Being a Community Volunteer and friendly, people come to me to either borrow relief food from our area Chief or ask for any other assistance. So, Bianca's aunt one day came to me to ask for fare to go see her sister who was admitted and was unconscious in a (Government) Kenyatta National Hospital. That's when i came to know child Bianca. When i visited her she told me her father died and her mother was admitted in hospital.At her age I couldn't believe when she told me that she has been praying and asking GOD to save her mum. I really sympathised with her because i knew her mother's condition. Since that time i became her friend and i visited her often. At times when i was not going anywhere the Aunt would live me with her. When the mother died the aunt told me and she was unable to inform her i couldn't either. It was terrible, later she was informed. She kept quite for sometime she was dumb founded.

On the burial day she insisted she wanted to see her mom remains. When she saw her dead, it was horrible she became so sad. After the funeral, i would visit her often carry her to my house and she would feel loved. When the Aunt came for she would request her to allow her stay longer.

Her is jobless and would not afford to take her to School. Bianca, would ask me to take her to school though also i could not afford. Due to her disability, she was supposed to go to a Special School.

On the Day of the African Child, being a Child Officer, Locational Area Advisory Committee (LAAC) I volunteered organised involved our Area Chief the nearby Primary Schools and i called the Media to cover the 16TH DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD CELEBRATIONS. The KENYA BROADCASTING COORPORATION AND K24 arrived and the Occassion was flagged off by the Area Chief. I made sure BIANCA in a Wheel Chair pushed by School Children was Leading in the convoy on the Streets where within our Area. Children with placards (shouting Applauding ) to be given their rights while the MEDIA COVERED. She was so happy. I requested one of the K24 Journalists to highlight Bianca's Case on TV to WELLWISHERS in order for to get funds for her EDUCATION. So, the Journalists by the name Agnes GAKUNGA, I, Bianca and her Aunt went to their room where they live. Agnes asked Bianca's Aunt who has a son (3 yrs old) questions how she managed for their basic needs.

A well wisher was touched by BIANCA's story on TV she called and visited BIANCA's house. She volunteered to introduce her to a BOARDING Special School for the disabled. She was adimtted in Nursery.

Since then life took a dramatic turn for BIANCA. She keeps on singing how she heard other children claiming for their rights. Her case was life on TV and she saw herself on TV so she keeps on asking when AUNT K24 (MEDIA) will come again to show her on TV. She is now happier than ever before. Thanks be to ALMIGHTY GOD. AMEN.

BY TERESIA WAMBUI KAGECHA
VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SOCIAL WORKER