African Family

A story I wrote on a recent field visit.

A woman and nine children emerge from inside and behind a mud house. There are no men in this family, who are a rare sight in this area. HIV/AIDS has rewarded their hard labor with an early death, leaving behind children, wives and mothers; even grandmothers.

An old woman sits in a chair, extends a hand towards us in welcome. After introductions, Kyikethe Wamwalua thanks us for coming, saying, “It is good that you have come, so you can see the wound you are treating.” She is a grandmother to the other woman, Catherine Nduku, and great-grandmother to the 9 children.


Catherine recently benefited from a maize distribution coordinated by Church World Service and the Africa Brotherhood Church. She received a total of 100 kilos of maize, which should feed the family of 11 for about 3 weeks.
She is responsible for the nine children, four of whom are her own, and her grandmother. All the men have succumbed to HIV/AIDS, including her brother two years ago whose wife ran away after his death. Since Catherine is the primary caretaker of these 10 persons, she relies heavily on Nzeli, a sister-in-law who earns around $30/mo. in a village store. Neighbors have donated used uniforms so that the children can attend school. The family cooks twice a day, using any leftovers for breakfast the next day.
Behold the Future: A woman looks to her child, a child looks to his great-grandmother.


The ABC distribution sponsored by CWS was facilitated by the lead coordinator, Juliana Mulandi. The community selected the members of utmost need as maize recipients, including widows, orphans, the elderly and handicap. Cowpea, cassava and sweet potato seed was also distributed as alternatives to maize, both to increase nutrition and as a more durable crop.