Credit: ACI Africa
On World AIDS Day 2023, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Kenya expressed deep concerns about the escalating number of HIV infections among young persons, citing the latest data from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) indicating that in the East African nation, among adolescents aged 10-19, there were 62 new HIV infections per week, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reported.
ASN Upendo Village
In her speech during the 20th anniversary celebration of ASN Upendo village, Sr. Muia looked back at the humble beginnings of the now state-of-the-art facility, where people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS find acceptance, love, and renewed hope in life.
Sr. Dr. Florence Muia. Credit: ACI Africa
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“It is with gratitude to God that we can look back 20 years ago when ASN Upendo Village opened its doors to the first five clients and today we thank God we have been able to support more than 14,693 persons,” the pioneer of the facility benefiting inhabitants of the low-end settlements around Naivasha, located some 80km Northwest of Nairobi, said.
Established as a project of ASN members in partnership with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters in 2003, the facility has expanded over the years to support beneficiaries in a variety of programs.
Credit: ACI Africa
In her speech, Sr. Muia highlighted the health program at the “dispensary that offers outpatient services to the community and ART”; the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), with “Baby formula as an option to breastfeeding”; support groups for persons living with HIV/AIDS and “for grandmothers caring for orphaned children”; income generating activities, including dairy goats, improved chicken, and beehives; education for orphans as well as vulnerable children; and the Fountain Valley Pure Drinking Water, a water bottling plant established “to help support other programmes”.
Sr. Dr. Florence Muia gifting Bishop Cleophas Oseso painting. Credit: ACI Africa
In the education program, ASN Upendo Village has had 21 beneficiaries, who have graduated from Kenyan Universities, and 76 others from Colleges and technical schools in the East African nation, the founder of the facility that started off in some two dilapidated and abandoned classrooms that had once been a nursery school reported during the January 26 event.
Credit: ACI Africa
Since its inception, the facility has offered support to 320 student beneficiaries, 2,504 HIV positive women, 807 HIV positive men, 391 HIV positive children, 7,422 orphan vulnerable children (OVCs), 3,147 other household members, and 422 infant formula milk beneficiaries, she added.
“We are indebted to all our donors, partners and well-wishers for their generosity and continued support for ASN Upendo Village ministry,” the holder of a doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies, a master’s degree in Pastoral Counselling, and a BA degree in Sociology and Anthropology said.
Credit: ACI Africa
In her speech that followed the blessing of ASN Upendo Village warehouse building and solar plant, the Kenyan-born ASN member singled out “some” of the “local donors”, thanking them for being “instrumental in helping us to get this far”.
“Our own staff have not been left behind; they collectively sponsor a child’s education from their monthly contributions and their first one is a university graduate,” she said in her expression of gratitude, and added, “Some of our local donors opt to remain anonymous and we thank them sincerely.”
Sustainability
Sr. Muia shared about the challenge of sustaining the programs at ASN Upendo Village, adding that “for us faith-based institutions, any efforts towards sustainability of the programs for the poor are becoming difficult because of high taxations.”
She used the example of what the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) requires ASN Upendo Village to pay for purified bottled water stickers, saying for every litre, KES.6.91 (US$0.04) has to be paid.
“Our MP, please take our cry to the parliament; we are not making riches but complimenting the government by supporting the vulnerable people,” Sr. Muia said, addressing herself to Jayne Njeri Kihara, the Member of Parliament for Naivasha Constituency, who was present at the January 26 event.
In her speech, Hon. Kihara asked Sr. Muia to apply for a tax waiver, adding, “It is possible to get a (tax) waiver since the project is not-for-profit; I will explore the possibility (for tax exemption).”
Hon. Jayne Njeri Kihara, MP for Naivasha Constituency, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa
The Kenyan politician, who recalled her involvement in the establishment of ASN Upendo Village apologized for not following up on the project and expressed her pleasant surprise in the progress at the facility.
“I’m back in full force; I will support you,” she told Sr. Muia. She pledged to facilitate the provision of bursaries for students under the ASN Upendo Village education program and promised to consult on needs at the facility and provide support accordingly.
Testimonies
Beneficiaries of the 20-year-old facility were among speakers, who gave personal testimonies of the positive impact of ASN Upendo Village in their respective lives.
40-year-old Esther Wambui was 21years when she became aware of her HIV status, after having postponed testing multiple times amid fear and the related stigma.
Esther Wambui, beneficiary of ASN Upendo Village. Credit: ACI Africa
“The counseling services I received after testing positive helped me overcome my suicidal thoughts an plans,” Esther shared, adding that her life changed for the better when some friends brought her to ASN Upendo Village.
“I was quite weak; and I accepted to follow the instructions and guidelines at Upendo Village,” she said, adding that she has found “real love” and fulfilment at the ASN Upendo Village.
Esther continued, “I have lived with HIV for the last 20 years and it is good life because of the support I have received. Those who have come to be with us in this celebration, reach out to those in such situations without despising anyone of them.”
John Barasa, who was enrolled at ASN Upendo Village in 2005 attributed his 60 years of life to the support he has received from ASN Upendo Village.
John Barasa, beneficiary of ASN Upendo Village. Credit: ACI Africa
“I’m on ARVs together with my wife,” he said, and added, “I thank God for opening the door for me to know Upendo Village.”
He went on to challenge those “out there who have let fear control their HIV status” to be positive. He explained, “HIV is just a name; take care of your health and you will live, just as I’m living, happily.”
In her testimony during the January 26 event, Miriam Wanjiru, who has witnessed the passing on of her four children and has had the responsibility to bring up her grandchildren recalled the stigma that her late children had to endure.
Miriam Wanjiku, beneficiary of ASN Upendo Village. Credit: ACI Africa
“Sr. Dr. Florence has held my hand and walked with me through all the tribulations,” Miriam said, acknowledging with appreciation the support her family has received, including the education of her grandchildren and resources for self-reliance.
“The staff at Upendo Village are a great source of hope right from the gate,” she continued, and added in reference to ASN Upendo Village community, “Your reward in heaven is great.”
On his part, Samuel Mwangi, also a beneficiary of ASN Upendo Village since 2005 described Sr. Muia as “God sent, an angel”.
Dr. Samuel Mwangi, beneficiary ASN Upendo Village. Credit: ACI Africa
Mwangi who has surmounted multiple obstacles to become a medical doctor said, “No words seem appropriate to express the gratitude for the love received here.”
“The love at Upendo also brought me in contact with the love of my life here,” the CEO at The Minute Medical Center in Naivasha town recalled his meeting with his wife, inviting her to wave at the guests during the January 26 event.
Dr. Samuel Mwangi and his wife. Credit: ACI Africa
Referring to the challenges he had overcome, including sickly parents and discouragement from fellow pupils and students, Mwangi cautioned children born in humble beginnings against giving up.
The harvest is rich
In his homily, Bishop Oseso used Jesus’ commissioning of the 72 ahead of him to emphasize the need for reaching out to each other as is happening at ASN Upendo Village.
“God works through people; as He says in the Gospel of today, the harvest is rich, but few laborers. Jesus relies on our hands and our legs; we are God’s hands, God’s legs. We must take responsibility to bring love and hope in the lives of people,” he said.
In marking 20 years of ASN Upendo Village, Bishop Oseso said, “we are celebrating years of those who have seen God’s love; the services happening here are part of the rich harvest with few laborers.”
“Are we part of those making the few laborers? Are we responding to the invitation to be part of the rich harvest?” posed the Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 2023.
Credit: ACI Africa
The availability of Timothy and Titus to collaborate with the Apostle Paul in establishing Christian communities and preaching the Gospel and St. Mother Teresa’s love and care for “the needy, the despised, the disregarded” are good examples of being part of the “rich harvest”, he said in his January 26 homily, the Feast of St. Timothy and St. Titus.
Bishop Oseso faulted the tendency to attach payment to every activity, saying, “Elsewhere, we have volunteers; people ask to offer services for a couple of hours, without having to be paid.”
“May we be thankful for the health we have, which we sometimes take for granted, even as we celebrate this facility that takes care of persons with health challenges,” he said, and added, “Let us remember partners, who facilitated the establishment of this place; some might not have been here, yet they have made sacrifices.”
Credit: ACI Africa
The Local Ordinary of Nakuku implored the people of God to pray for the staff of ASN Upendo Village, and added, “It takes much sacrifice to have this place functional. Let us pray for health providers whose services require love that they remain inspired to be at service.”
Meanwhile, in her speech, the ASN Superior General, Sr. Margaret Wahungu, thanked Sr. Muia and all her collaborators at ASN Upendo Village “for the many lives you’ve touched; if you touch people’s lives, you’re touching Jesus.”
Credit: ACI Africa
Sr. Wahungu challenged the beneficiaries of ASN Upendo Village to reciprocate the generosity they have experienced, saying, “You have received, please give; it’s in giving that you receive back; there is more joy in giving than in receiving.”
The Kenyan-born ASN Superior General underscored the need to “do good to others”, to go out and make a positive change to the lives of others, and to be positive.
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Bishop Cleophas Oseso blessing ASN Upendo Village Warehouse Building. Credit: ACI Africa
Dr. Joyce Ncece Muturia. Credit: ACI Africa
Bishop Cleophas Oseso bkessing ASN Upendo Village Solar Plant. Credit: ACI Africa
