Pamela Atieno

Pamela Atieno is a 35-year-old widow and mother of five from Kajwang Village. Pamela lost her father early in life, and also her husband, the household’s only income-earner, in 2000. Pamela and her family now live with her mother and the orphan children of Pamela’s deceased brother in the mud house constructed by her brother before he died (pictured). The house is in poor condition - crumbling walls have left gaping holes throughout the structure. The nearest water source is a 2-kilometer walk and meals are inconsistent. Pamela’s nephew, Patrick, has been staying at CRM due to extreme malnourishment.

We are happy to announce that Pamela and her family have received the following support:

Mattresses (3) KSH 3295.00

Blankets (6) KSH 2145.00

Plastic bathing basin KSH 80.00

Enamel tea pot KSH 270.00

Enamel rice plates (6) KSH 240.00

Aluminiun pan, small KSH 310.00

Aluminiun pan, large KSH 345.00

Misc (mugs, buckets, jug) KSH 286.00

Soaps KSH 130.00

Tea leaves (500gm) KSH 152.00

Salt (400 gm) KSH 18.00

Bar soap (800gm) KSH 60.00

Kimbo cooking fat (2 kg) KSH 240.00

Sugar (1 kg) KSH 170.00

Cash given KSH 1800.00

Transport KSH 500

TOTAL KSH 10,041.00, USD 154.00

Atieno Family's Needs

Immediate needs of Pamela and her family are: Blankets (6), mattresses (3), clothing and uniforms for the children, and food. The estimated cost of these supplies is approximately $150

Long-term needs of Pamela and her family are: Repairs to their shelter, a rain water harvesting system and participation for Pamela in income-generating activity (Pamela has been nominated for participation in the Food-for-Yields Agri-Livestock Program).

Mege Atieno

To offer insight into the lives of Pamela and her children and a sense of the suffering caused by poverty and HIV stigmatization, here is a story of her son, Fred. Fred stayed at CRM for a short time for treatment for malnourishment:

CRM took Fred in for residential care, but he returned to his mother’s home on September 16th. According to the children at CRM, Fred was insulted by another student at school. They also said he always talked about wanting go back to assist his mother. Fred told other children at CRM that he once sneaked away to Mombasa (a major seaport 600km away) where he become a street child and a water vendor. He came back in the luggage compartment of a bus carrying a large sum of money earned from water vending. When he reached Kisumu, he went to a supermarket and purchased items for his mother. The children said the boy who insulted Fred at school told him that he is useless and has a mother with HIV, and this is why Pamela always goes to Chulaimbo Hospital, which is a known free antiretroviral distribution center. Pamela was quite distressed by this incident and came to CRM crying.

We already talked to the grandmother to convince Mege that CRM is there to help him and we shall also make more efforts to talk to him.

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