Jessica

Jessica is a 24-year old widow. Her husband died of HIV/AIDS-related illness two years ago and left her in abject poverty with three young children and HIV+.

Jessica is often bedridden leaving Penina her 9-year old daughter to look after her and her siblings. The family have no bed or blanket; they wear rags for clothes and struggle for food on a daily basis. They recently moved from their mud house due to its appalling condition, into the small hut that was used as a kitchen. It is approximately 8 feet by 5 feet. When the roof leaks the floor turns into a quagmire - the sleeping space for the whole family and Jessica when she is bedridden.

Jessica is neglected by her late husband's family, her children are not in school and they suffer from malnutrition and depression.

The family has received direct aid in the form of new shelter, school uniforms, blankets and mosquito nets. They are provided with nutritional supplements and counselling regularly and the children are now in school.