New friends - dieing HIV/Aids Orphans

The pictures don't reveal what hides behind the smiles and fun on these orphans faces. HIV/Aids. I started at 7:00am by meeting Vivian and Alex the Directors of LIHOP Organisation a very small work started 2 years ago working to relieve the pain of living with HIV/Aids with Orphans in Accra.

For the children there is no medication I am told, it is too strong for their small lives. So I asked what can be done? The answer "Nothing" they will eventually die. The little girl here, her father died of Aids and she has it now...she looked thin and not as strong as the others, but she had the same inner child like inquisition of my phone camera. 90% of the children in these photos have the HIV/Aids virus and all are orphans.

Within minutes of us enjoying a photo shoot, they were sitting with me and we were best of friends. The stark reality was they have a high chance of dieing before adulthood, the selflessness of Alex and Vivian was so evident when they explained there was not hope for these children.

LIHOP are working with some NGO's who fund the food supply. The children live with gaurdians or Aunt's and Uncle. Once a month they come to the LIHOP distribution hut (see the flickr photos - left) which is near their homes, they are weighed to see how they growth is doing and theu collect a months supply of grain and Soy Wheat Blend and go home again. On Sundays there's a special clinic and counselling meeting for the adults living with HIV/Aids.
Alex and Vivian (Co-founders) are not paid for their dedication - it's all voluntary. Alex works in medical research in the mornings and works in the local school in Madina, where we were in the afternoons. (North Accra) Alex is also the local Baptist Pastor. Vivian is a part time social worker and works more closely with the community children and the Accra social authorities.

They have no premises just a simple lock up hut for their food support. What they need is a premises and they are looking. I want to be involved in helping them get a premises of their own, if you are interested in being aware of their needs so you can give then let me know with your details and I can connect you directly with them.

I was challenged recently to write more of the progress Ghana is making on this blog and I will. They are an amazing people, resilient, warm and welcoming. But here today I met a need that reaches the very core of my heart - suffering children! Those of us who "have" need to share with those who "have not" and if there is a need that has no agenda, it is this kind of need....

Vivian Gasu and Alex Danso-Coffie