KANYINYA, RWANDA – His almond eyes are gentle and strong. He is one of five children. Their mother, Clementine, is HIV positive. The burden she carries of trying to provide for her children while battling a fatal disease is excruciating. Boniface doesn’t have a father, and Clementine’s battle is only fiercer as a widow.

The stigma of HIV/AIDS relegates some to forever hide their disease, not wanting to be shunned or rejected, left to suffer silently. But Clementine’s silence has been broken.

FH has come alongside Boniface and Clementine and given medical advice about HIV/AIDS including information about good nutrition and disease prevention. Clementine receives medical insurance from another organization and is able to access necessary medicine for survival. Through FH’s encouragement, Clementine also joined an association that has been a shield against the social stigma associated with HIV. Together they are helping one another economically by rearing animals and sharing the profits.

Clementine lives with HIV/AIDS while caring for children in the context of extreme poverty, yet she is finding solace among others also battling the disease and has found the strength to continue.

Boniface is able to attend school through FH’s assistance, buffering the burden of provision for Clementine, and encouraging her that though AIDS is devastating, it will not rob her children of their futures.