Stop TB Partnership

Yes It Works

By Peter Owiti - Wote Youth Development (Kenya)

Everyday, Oscar must live with the effects HIV/AIDS on two fronts. Not only has he lost both of his parents to AIDS, but after contracting it from them, he is now HIV+ as well. Despite these incredible hurdles, he has performed very well in primary school and was selected to join the Kaumoni Boys Secondary School. After just a single term in his new school, Oscar developed an opportunistic TB infection; something which is common among HIV patients.

As is common yet unfortunate, by the time Oscar was diagnosed with TB, he had already lost a significant amount of weight. He was hampered by a continuous cough and lack of strength. Oscar tested positive for TB at the Makueni District Hospital, and was quickly referred by the local TB officer, Mr. Kangwele, to Wote Youth Development. Under the supervision of his aunt Oscar took his TB drugs as prescribed. Together, they made a weekly trip to the clinic to pick up his medications.

Oscar has now finished the intensive treatment period and has become a smiling and robust boy. O yes! TB medications can work miracles for some people, and Oscar is one of them. Wote Youth Development supported Oscar's treatment by providing bus fare for the weekly clinic visit the clinic in Wote from Kalamba village in Makueni County.

Just five dollars a week transformed a life. CFCS has helped Wote Youth Development support 40 TB patients including two MDR-TB patients. Five dollars is all it takes to wipe our tears of hopelessness. The smile and health improvement of Oscar is a testimony that just a little help goes a long way.

Thank you to CFCS and WHO for your continuous support.

Oscar One Year Later: Healthy and Happy

One year ago, Oscar (not his real name), who had been diagnosed with AIDS, contracted TB. As it has been emphasized, TB has an affinity for those who already have HIV and Oscar's case is an example of a timely intervention.

The Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) could not have come at a better time. Oscar's Aunt made sure he was prepared to travel to the hospital, a distant of 40km. Extremely weak from coughing, Oscar had to be supported to reach the main road to board a vehicle every week and later in his treatment, every month. With the assistance of Wote Youth Development Project, Oscar and his aunt received their bus fare refund and refreshment, an allowance that is just 7 USD per week, during the intensive phase and once per month during the continuation phase. Just eight months after contracting TB, Oscar is back in school with good grades to match and a cheerful, happy kid with big ideas just like any young person. It is hard to believe that Oscar is on ARVS; this is all it took to save Oscar's life and many others who have been supported to adhere to treatment. As he reaches adolescence, we have to teach Oscar about HIV/TB prevention in order to avert him from creating new infections.

By selecting only the most critical and vulnerable cases, 24 TB/HIV patients received assistance to adhere to treatment and become healthy again using the Challenge Facility of Civil Society grant. We hope that one day we will provide these patients with a platform to tell the world that it only took 84 USD to restore their hope and life.