TAFCOM home visits (sensitive material)

On Thursday Tashoy, Owen and I went with Nia from TAFCOM on home visits for 3 clients with HIV living in extreme poverty.  The day before Nia told us that it is customary to bring a small gift, such as food. Since our access to food is limited Tashoy asked if 2 US dollars would be okay. Nia responded that would be fine- even one dollar would be appreciated. 

We travelled by car along the bumpy roads to an area behind our hotel that I didn't even know existed, passed a dirt soccer field, a primary school and secondary school. 

The first location was a row of "houses" all sharing one roof. This home consisted of one small room with no electricity or plumbing, mud brick walls and a tin roof. A 14 year old girl, who was at school when we visited, lived there with her mother, and was her primary caregiver. The woman was very sick, had problems with her legs, as well as a painful skin problem that Nia thought was probably cancer. As was the case for all 3 women, the husband passed away years ago due to aids related complications, leaving the single mother sick and alone to care for the children. I asked if there was any other family near by. Nia explained that the woman moved here from far away when she got married, and the husband's family wanted nothing to do with her after he died. The woman is grateful for TAFCOM and the services they provide. 

At the end of our visit Nia presented the woman with a bag of rice, and Owen and I gave her $3. After hearing her story I could have given her all my money!

The second client lived in a slightly larger one room house with her 4 daughters. She greeted us with a smile. She showed us a picture of her daughters and we recognized the youngest from the tanzacare school. Nia shared that the woman is struggling with issues due to gaining weight with her medication.  Like the first client, she was not from this  area. She moved from here at 14 to work and earn money. TAFCOM is working to help break the poverty cycle. The support helps the children stay in school. So many children living in extreme poverty drop out of school to work and it is not uncommon for girls to become pregnant. 

The third client lived with her daughter and grandson. The home was so dark inside I could barely see Nia and the woman sitting across from us. Her daughter had moved away but returned when the father passed away to help care for her. 

Through TAFCOM they obtained a microloan 3 years ago to start a small cooking business, which the daughter runs in front of their home. This provides a small income to the family and also provides a service to the community as some people may not be able to go to the market or have the resources to cook a hot meal.  

Baby goat, outside one of the homes, trying to stand. We also saw baby chicks and a kitten. Owen is loving the animals!