Benjamin Daniel Kirya
Born: unknown
Admitted: 8/20/2006

Benjamin came to us as a transfer from Amani Baby Cottage. Benja (as we call him) was received from a hospital where he was abandoned. He was approximately 3 years old. He was malnourished with a bloated stomach and in extremely poor condition. He stayed with Amani Baby Cottage for 1 year before a Ugandan lady wanted to adopt him. Benja was tested for HIV and was pronounced negative. However, later on it was established that his test results were mixed up with the results of some other children. He went to live with the lady and within one year was brought back. It was established during that time that Benja had HIV. The lady whom took care of Benja also had HIV and had to return Benja because both he and she were very ill. The lady died 3 months later. Benja was in poor condition when he returned to Amani and it was an uphill battle from there.

Benja is doing very well now. In the last year he has had his daily ARV's (anti retro viral) dosage reduced because he is doing so well. He visits the doctor every other month as required and is monitored vigorously including blood tests and ultrasounds. The doctor's smile whenever they see Benja because he always has something to say that makes them laugh.

Benja has such a caring and loving spirit. He will find me wherever I am in the house and say "Mommy can I help do something?" And some evenings Benja will ask "Mommy can I give you a massage?" He's learning from his big brother Ezra how to massage Mom's stressed out neck muscles :-) What an awesome heart. It always makes me smile.

Benja's favorite color is purple and he wants to be a policeman. Benja loves to eat posho, beans, rice, matooke and greens. Benja loves eating in general :-) His favorite brothers to play with are Isaac, Hamza and Robert. healthier. Belonging to a family, is just what he needed and we thank God that we can be that family for him. When you think of us here in Uganda, remember Benjamin who always wanted a family and now has one.