Ongoing support for Toto Love

The idea of Toto Love, an orphanage for HIV positive children, came about in 2004  by Ruth Nwiga after witnessing the suffering of Aids children in Kenya.  She approached some women who had also been trained/equipped with Home Based Care skills and some of whom are living with HIV or whose children died at an early age due to lack of access to nutrition and basic health care.  The  orphanage opened its doors to the 1st pioneer children on 16th December 2005. They started off with 8 children 5 of whom were already in the final stage/full blown AIDs and have since died, they died within the 1st year. The other three are still alive and have now gained good health and this is a sign that if the children are put on medication early, given a balanced diet and live in a conducive environment they can leave for many years.

The work that we did at Toto Love is only the beginning.  We realize that this orphanage is very deserving as they are unique because they assist HIV orphans, not all orphanages do.  Painting, and purchasing beds and other items was a good start.  But for a successful orphanage we know that they need the following help

*monthly donations to pay for bills and food

*larger plot of land to build a larger orphanage

*yearly visits to show our support and love

If after reading the stories of the children and the orphanage and you would like to donate (any amount or school supplies, good clothing, new underwear/socks for annual visits) please contact me at leahgrafton@hotmail.com

Kenya Facts

Kenya is located on the East coast of Africa. It lies on the equator and is bordered on the north by Sudan, Somalia and Ethopia. Uganda and Lake Victoria lie to the west. Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro are to the south while the Indian Ocean lies to the east. It's 582,646 sq km2 and is the world's 47th largest country. 

 
Kenya enjoys a tropical climate experiencing moderate temperatures averaging about 22C throughout the year. It is hot and humid at the coast, temparate inland and dry at the north and northeast parts of the country.

There are two seasons: short rains (October to December) and long rains (March to June) with it's hottest period from January to March.

Kenya has diverse physical features, which are divided into: low lying arid and semi-arid lands, coastal belt, plateau, highlands and the lake basin around Lake Victoria. The country is bisected by the great Rift Valley which extends for 8,700 km. on the surface of the earth from the Dead Sea in Jordan to Beira in Mozambique. Kenya has the second highest snow capped mountain (Mt. Kenya) in Africa rising to a height of 5,199 metres, after Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

Kenya has an estimated population of 34 million people with approximately six million peope living in the urban areas.  Kenya has a diverse population comprising of 42 ethnic groups.

Tallia age 3

Tallia was abandoned by her mother at the age of 2.  When visiting the common market, her mother told her to go play with some kids.  That was the last time she saw her.  Tallia possibly stayed alone for a night or two. She remembers her mother abandoning her.

Tallia is fiesty and comical.  She is in nursery at St. Michael's.

Mugambi age 13

Mugambi is a vibrant boy despite his horrific past. Abandoned by his mother at the age of 9, he was left with a note at his father's home basically saying that this is your child and please take care of him. The mother wanted to remarry and in her tribe children from another man must be returned to their father. However Mugambi did not even know his father.

He waited all day for his father to come home. His father did take him in, but because of stigma and embaressment he locked him in the house for about a year, not allowing him to go to school and basically neglecting him. A neighbour finally rescued him. The hospital report was devastating. He was diagnosed with dermatitis as his skin is so dry. His scrotum was swollen and he had maggots coming from the back of his head. All due to neglect. In the hospital he had to stay in a crib, even though he was around 11 or 12 years of age. He arrived at Toto Love about August of 2009.

Today he is attending school in nursery, way behind for his age. He will be in Class 1 in January. He is very small for his age, with very dry skin and the hair has not grown back on his head where the maggots were. He looks like a little old man.

He is learning english, and we will always remember him saying "goodnight" even in the middle of the day. He was also very excited about our visit to his school.

Njeri age 4

Njeri (pronounce Ne Gerry)

Njeri was abandoned by her father at the Embu hospital in July 2008. He left her at the out patient department drinking a fanta (pop). He lied to her that he would be back with medicine and never returned. Late into the night, all by herself, the hospital guard rescued her and she was taken to the hospital ward for abandoned children. This was her home for the next nine months till May of 2009 when she joined Toto Love.

Njeri had TB and was extremely traumatized by the situation. Little is known about her, and they had to guess her age.

Joy age 8

Joy's mom died during delivery. She had given birth to twins, Joy and another baby who also died within 2 hours after birth. The birth occured at home and without any medical personal the mom bled to death. Joy was taken in by her only maternal aunt who already had 12 children including grandkids and step kids. Life was incredible hard for this lady and even more so when her husband died. Before he died he told his children that Joy was not his child and therefore would not inherit any of the estate. Due to this statement there was so much love lost. This depressd the aunt so much and she sank into depression. Joy, who was only 4 years old, together with a 9 year old grandchild of her aunts would fend for themselves. They would go fetch water from the river, fetch fire wood and cook for themselves.

Joy joind Toto Love in April 2008 and turns 7 years old in March 2010. She will be in Class 1 (grade 1) in January 2010.

Unfortunately her situation traumatized her and the she completely blocked it from her mind. She does not recall where she came from, nor does she recognize her cousins whom she lived with. Joy is the only child at Toto who is not HIV positive.

Gakii age 5

Gakii was born out of a teenage pregnancy, her mother being barely 17 years old. Her mother died 18 months after Gakii was born, leaving her in the care of her grandmother who suffered from depression. Unfortunately, even though she really loved Gakii, she was unable to care for her properly and her tiny feet were infested with jiggers (a type of flea).

She joined Toto Love in February of 2007 when she was only 2 1/2 years old. She celebrated her 5th birthday July 2009.