Benjamin Daniel Kirya

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. In the last year he has improved tremendously and he has been started on Anti-retroviral drugs (ARV’s) daily. Benja has known for the last several months that he would coming to be apart of the AFTC family and he has been very excited. He’s told everyone who will listen, “My Mommy Deidrah is coming for me and I am going to live with her.” He is very happy to be with us. Benja is little boy who has always wanted to belong to a family and it seems that now he has it. He laughs so much and is such a character. Even in the short time he has been with us other people who have known Benja have expressed joy at seeing how happy he is and how much he’s changed.

We believe that with the proper medicine, love, care, and attention that Benja will grow to be a healthy adult. He is only 6 years old but has been shifted from one place to another. We are glad that now he feel part of a family unit and we know that this will only serve to make him that much healthier. Knowing that he belongs to a family, is just what she 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.

Date of Birth: Unknown... Admitted to AFTC: 8/20/2006