A place in my heart

By Sr. Suzanne Marshall, O.L.M.
Summer 2005

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Aondosoo (God loves) and Aondona are good friends. Both are six years old and infected with HIV. The disease has progressed much faster in Aondosoo and for over a year he has been taking antiretroviral drugs supplied by us.

Aondosoo lives with his sister Nancy, aged 16, and brother Francis, aged 18. We met this family five years ago. Their father had already died and their mother was dying from AIDS. Nancy would push her mother's wheelchair to our monthly support group meeting for people living with HIV/AIDS. This young girl looked none too happy to be left with adult responsibilities at such an early age.

However, after her mother died, Nancy rose to the challenge of caring for her little brother. We helped Francis, the eldest, to remain in school and we provided food and medical care for the three of them. At that time, they lived on a compound with relatives, but no one would help them or come near them, fearful of the possibility of contracting AIDS.

We always promised Nancy that we would pay her school fees as soon as Aondosoo reached an age when he, too, could be placed in school. Privately we thought he would die even before then. So, when he turned five we registered the two of them in school.

Aondosoo is often sick and Nancy is faithful in her care of him and concern for his future. I am amazed and impressed by her maturity and warmth. When Aondosoo is admitted to hospital, which is frequent, Nancy does her best to be there with him as much as possible. Thankfully her secondary school is nearby. She never seems to tire of caring for him. Indeed, she is very worried when he is sick.

Nancy and Aondosoo both come to the support group once a month. There Aondona and Aondosoo run around and play as if the hospital was their home and the members of the support group and pastoral care workers their family.

Although both attended the Christmas party at our pastoral care clinic, Aondosoo was sick that day and lay on a bench during most of the festivities. When I see him like that I am afraid he will soon die. Realistically I know that his future is most uncertain. The antiretroviral drugs are toxic and we cannot afford to change the combination of drugs as is done in the developed world if a person becomes resistant to one type.

I love these little boys. I want them to live and grow and be happy. They occupy a big place in my heart.

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