I watched my grandma Jeanette die from AIDS

The following is from a donor who gave towards the 'Save a Baby's Life' campaign: 

Hey Matthew,

Thank you for your continued work in Rwanda. This story touched me very personally and I knew that I had to contribute toward bringing Jeanette's baby boy into the world without HIV. I'm not sure if you know this, but my dad's mother, my grandma, Jeanette, acquired HIV through a contaminated blood transfusion in the mid-1980s when we were just beginning to hear about this new virus called HIV and it's physical manifestation - AIDS. At that time, there were no treatments at all and many public misconceptions about how contagious it was, so my sister and I were told not to tell our childhood friends to avoid unnecessary fears and stigma. 

We watched my grandmother, one of the most beautiful women I've ever known, become very sick and slowly deteriorate as a result of AIDS. She passed away in June 1987, 25 years from this coming Sunday. It's a sad anniversary for me. When I read about Jeanette's story, I was so moved and of course I immediately thought of my own Jeanette. 

I really want to thank you and Global Capacity for the lives that you are changing and for how you are sharing the love of Christ in practical ways with those in need. I will be praying for Jeanette and look forward to updates. I have shared this information with my family. Please let me know if there are other ways to help.

In gratitude,

Julie F.

Read more about the campaign at  http://globalcapacity.org/help-save-a-babys-life/

Help Save a Baby's Life

Help Save a Baby's Life

We would like to introduce you to one of our scholarship students, Jeanette.  She is 14 years-old and is in S-2 (8th grade). Jeanette loves being in school and has big dreams of being a doctor one day. Jeanette was diagnosed with HIV a couple of years ago, having caught it at birth from her mother. This young 14 year-old made a tragic choice this past year and as a result, became pregnant.

Not only is Jeanette in a fight for her life, but so is her six-month unborn baby boy.  We are focusing on two things: keeping Jeanette healthy and preventing the transmission of HIV to the baby. There are measures this young mother can take to keep the virus from passing to him: taking antiretroviral drugs, having a C-section delivery, and feeding him formula instead of breast milk after he is born.  

The estimated costs for the remainder of the pregnancy and care of the baby are close to $2,000: ultrasounds, blood work, transportation, C-section delivery, baby formula, bottles, HIV testing, and healthy food. 

We are asking that you join us in helping to save Jeanette's unborn baby's life by enabling her to prevent the transmission of HIV.  We can reach this very possible goal by having 100 people donate just $20. Will you help to bring her healthy baby boy into this world? 

DONATE NOW! 

About HIV/AIDS in Rwanda 

It is estimated that 170,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda (World Health Organization)

130,000 children (ages 0 to 17) are orphans due to HIV/AIDS in Rwanda (Unicef) 

22,000 children (ages 0 to 14) are living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda (UNAIDS)

In 2009 approximately 370,000 children were born with HIV, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS)

New HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa have dropped by more than 26% since 1997 due to prevention measures (UNAIDS)

Helpful Resources

• What We Do
• Monthly Plans
• About Us
• Online Donations
• Unicef/Rwanda
• WHO
• UNAIDS
• AVERT

Global Capacity News, June 2012

Now Introducing Our Monthly Sponsorship Plans 

Now you can send a child in Rwanda to high school for less than $50 per month!  We are proud to introduce our four monthly sponsorship plans, which cover every aspect of our scholarships. The plans are sure to fit any monthly budget and range from $10 - $49 per month:

Full Scholarship Plan = $49/month. This plan includes every expense for one year of school: school fees, school materials, health insurance, transportation, secondary school kit, personal hygiene items, and two school uniforms.

School Fees Plan = $25/month. This plan provides the necessary funds for Secondary or Vocational School fees for one year.

Personal Care Plan = $15/month.This plan includes items to aid in the personal care of our students for one year: school materials, health Insurance, transportation, personal hygiene items, and two school uniforms.

Secondary School Kit Plan = $10/month. This plan provides one kit required for all Secondary School students and includes: mattress and pillow, two sets of sheets, lockbox to keep belongings in, mosquito net, basin for washing and laundry, squeegie for cleaning, and a towel.

DONATE NOW!

Student Spotlight: Theogene

Theogene is studying in Secondary 5 (S-5), which is equivalent to 11th grade in the U.S. The section he is studying is Math, Economics and Geography [a section is like a college major]. His desire is to become a pilot. He is improving in his classes this year, which have been a struggle for him.

School became difficult due to adjusting to an all-English system, as classes previously were taught in French. He started off S-4 last year in the Math, Physics and Geography section, but had to drop Physics after two trimesters due to the school losing its teacher. At that point he replaced Physics for Economics, in spite of not having studied it in the first and second trimester. After the first trimester of this year he has improved greatly in his academics.

Read more about Theogene

Student Spotlight: Theogene

Theogene is studying in Secondary 5 (S-5), which is equivalent to 11th grade in America. The section he is studying is Math, Economics and Geography [a section is like a college major]. His desire is to become a pilot. He is improving in his classes this year, which have been a struggle for him. School became difficult in adjusting to an all-English system, as classes previously were taught in French. He started off S-4 last year in the Math, Physics and Geography section, but had to drop Physics after two trimesters due to the school losing the teacher. At that point he replaced Physics for Economics, in spite of not having the opportunity to study Economics in the first and second trimester. After the first trimester of this year he has improved greatly in his academics.

He is adjusting to the English system and different way of teaching. He is thankful for all the scholarship gives him. Back when he was completing S-3 he was studying in a government school, which is harder to get into and requires higher examination scores. Unfortunately when he took his national exams he did not score high enough to attend a government school for his next three years, S4-6. Back in S-3 things were much more difficult for his family, as school fees were not sponsored. This interrupted his schooling as well as the fear and concern if his school fees would be provided. Global Capacity began to sponsor him in S-4.

Theogene, his older brother Benjamin and his sister Muhire are all sponsored by Global Capacity. This gives relief to their mother who is a widow. She works part-time as a cleaner and also many odd jobs including construction, cooking, and anything she can do to support her family. They all thank Global Capacity for relieving the stress of school fees, and the other expenses their Mom would be required to provide. This helps their family live a better life with a lot less stress and worry.