HIV/AIDS-affected family in Tanzania finds hope for the future

Valentine Desdery, a member of the CWS-supported Giving Hope program, tends his chickens.

Photo: HUYAWA

Church World Service and
Huduma ya Watoto, Service for Children (HUYAWA)

Ask Valentine Desdery, 17, about his family's future plans, and he'll tell you, "With the money we have earned and saved, we would like to tile our roof." Valentine is a participant in the Church World Service-supported Giving Hope OVC (orphans and vulnerable children) program.

His father, Desdery Bazil, died in 1994 from AIDS, leaving him, his mother, Dorothea, and two siblings--Renathe and Everynal--to provide for themselves.

Through the Giving Hope empowerment program, Valentine has become acquainted with other youth experiencing the same difficulties HIV/AIDS inflicts on families.

CWS Giving Hope partner HUYAWA (Huduma ya Watoto, Service for Children) is helping young people to form small, informal working groups. With training and micro loans to start small businesses, they are encouraged to work together to meet their families' needs and achieve their dreams.

With his loan, Valentine began selling fish, cookies, and firewood. Additionally, through the Giving Hope program the family has started keeping goats--they currently have four--as well as many chickens. With these activities, Valentine and his family are earning money for food, school expenses, and other needs.

Through the Giving Hope program, orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda are improving their lives. The program is also expanding to Mozambique.

Your support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.

Updated 4/9/2008

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