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11 year old Hamisi now has hope

Hamisi's performance in class is average, he however keeps working extra hard!


Mwanaidi, Hamisi's Aunt shows the house World Vision helped build.

Behind every face there is a story they say. Meet Hamisi Kombo. He is only eleven years old but, he is quite aware that he has the virus that causes AIDS. He is hopeful that it will not be long before a cure for AIDS is found.

Hamisi is an orphan. He was only four years old when his parents both died of HIV/AIDS. He now lives with his 49 year-old grandmother, Sophia Kombo, a widow.

Sophia had been supporting Hamisi from the mere $8 a day she earned from New Life Hotel she ran in Maungu town. She has since rented the hotel to someone else to allow her to fully take care of Hamisi.

Last November, Hamisi’s house was destroyed by the heavy rains. Thanks to World Vision, Hamisi now has a place to sleep.

Stigma is still rife among people who are infected with HIV/AIDS in various communities in Kenya. They are discriminated against and shunned by their family members and friends.

World Vision has been a huge blessing in Hamisi’s life. Johnstone Mwamodo a CDM (Community Development Motivator) coordinator in Voi ADP says that their core existence in the area is to ensure that they fulfill World Vision’s vision statement.

He explains that though stigma is still widespread among people living with HIV/ AIDS, it has reduced remarkably. “The levels of stigma are sinking. While this cannot be wiped out lock stock and barrel; there is positive change towards people living with HIV/AIDS,” Johnstone adds.

“The community is more accepting to children with the virus. Initially it was not easy even to shake hands let alone to have a one on one with the infected,” he says.

“We want to see that every child has life and life in all its fullness,” he explains.

World Vision has helped through these tough economic times to support the sponsored families. In partnership with the World Food Program (WFP) World Vision has been providing food to the Registered Children as well as orphaned and vulnerable children.