Stories of Hope: Serving and Loving our Neighbors

ISOLO, Kenya – At 69 years of age, Mzee Miriti struggles to care for his three grandchildren by himself. Finding adequate water, food and clothing are daily struggles for this family.

Food for the Hungry recognizes the importance of the community members serving and working together to solve their own problems. They are learning that serving others is a gift everyone can give. FH even encourages orphans, like Mzee Miriti’s own grandchildren, to serve their neighbors. Even those that appear to have little can give much out of the abundance of their hearts!

In this same spirit, a group of Sunday school teachers and orphans realized that they needed to take action to help the older caregivers living amongst them. A group of FH staff, orphans and volunteers visited Mzee Miriti and prayed with him. They also helped in cleaning his homestead. They gave him some food, clothes, water, and firewood that they had gathered from the local church and community.

Mzee Mriti laughs and says, “I am very excited. I feel young again. God is my witness that not even my own children have provided for me like these neighbors of mine! May God bless you!”

What we do

Food for the Hungry is responding to the needs of those affected and infected by HIV in six African countries and Haiti. Just this year alone, FH has helped make many stories of hope happen:

• Helping people in their time of need: Over 2,000 adults and more than 2,500 orphans infected by HIV receive thorough compassionate care in their home. This includes basic nursing care, counseling, prayer, nutrition, livelihood support, and friendship for infected children, youth and adults through churches and volunteers.
• Raising an HIV-free generation: Nearly 380,000 youth and adults were reached with messages of healthier choices and behavior change to equip them to protect themselves. This includes encouraging abstinence, faithfulness and risk reduction for youth and adults. Educational messages are also shared with 1,800 pregnant and lactating women to enable them to deliver and nurture the next HIV-free generation.
• Providing vital medical treatment: FH is expanding its capacity to treat people infected by HIV and other diseases. Currently, over 1,000 people have received anti-retroviral treatment through FH facilities.

Change for Life Campaign

Make an impact in the fight against HIV/AIDs. Host “Change for Life” at your church, school, workplace, or community group. Through “Change for Life,” your nickels, dimes and quarters will bring hope to those suffering from the AIDS crisis. Food for the Hungry will provide small containers to collect spare coins for six weeks. As the change adds up, it will:

• Support orphans and vulnerable children.
• Reach youth with Bible-based abstinence and faithfulness messages.
• Teach infected women how to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
• Provide care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Give vulnerable families income-generating skills.

Speak Justice

In 2008, the world witnessed a historical moment in combating HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria when Congress re-affirmed the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Concerned Americans raised their voices to influence Congress and the White House to increase life-saving measures for victims of poverty and disease.

These leadership efforts by American citizens, Congress and the White House serve as a tremendous accomplishment in the fight against poverty. With the $48 billion promise, the U.S. is currently the world leader in HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care for those infected in poor communities.

Although we are not always able to lend a hand to help the sick, PEPFAR proves that when American citizens speak up for justice, lives can be saved. Join FH’s “Speak Justice” in encouraging President Obama and our Congresspersons to sustain current efforts in combating HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. Simply writing a letter or e-mail, making a phone call or meeting with your Congressperson can help bring hope to individuals impacted by disease and poverty.

“Guided by our faith, we seek to walk with the people most affected and call on ourselves and leaders at all levels, to intensify efforts to care for the sick, provide treatment and increase prevention efforts for HIV, TB and malaria.”
– Christian Connection for International Health