AIDS is still a huge problem in Uganda and many children are born HIV+. In 2009, after his wife died of AIDS, Tjuuko Muhammad started Give a Hand and Save Lives to provide support for children born HIV+. Muhammad talked with some of his HIV+ friends, made home visits and realized that many HIV+ children, a large proportion of whom are orphans, didn’t understand their condition or why they were taking drugs. Muhammad started Give a Hand and Save Lives to provide support for those children and their caregivers-mostly grandmothers.
This morning we brought about 10 boxes of clothing for the children-more than enough for each child to have at least one new-to-her-or-him garment or pair of shoes. We recognized several children from schools we visited earlier in the week. A marvelous dance troupe, composed of HIV+ adults, greeted us and also supports the program. We’ll be looking for ways to continue our support within our current program parameters.
