Success Stories
Jacob Nkayaya was orphaned as a small child when his father died of AIDS. The family had no breadwinner. Jacob had to leave school. The future looked bleak. Fortunately Kanyike had set up an initiative to provide apprenticeships so vulnerable boys like Jacob can gain new skills. In 2007 Jacob was given the chance to train in leather work, especially shoe-making.
His is an outstanding success story.
After two years of training he had completed his apprenticeship. His hard working attitude and competence meant he became a trainer himself. By 2013 his passion for his work was rewarded: he was made Head of the leather workshop
An orphan who had lost hope after the death of his father has now become very significant. He is a real force for change in the community. Boys without hope or a future, become competent shoemakers of both open and closed shoes leather shoes. Jacob’s enthusiasm and confidence are transferred to his apprentices. The impact of this on their development – and future - can’t be under estimated.
And Jacob has prospered. He managed to save 400,000 Ugandan shillings (about £90) and now owns a plot of land. He plans to expand his business. He hopes to set up a small shop where he can sell his shoes to a wider market in larger quantities. Their high quality will ensure they sell well.
Jacob’s story is inspirational. He began with nothing and is now a skilled entrepreneur.
Special thanks go to the founders of KAINSUDE for such a great transformation of human life.
Stella Tendo (17) would have died from HIV/AIDs without the support and care of the Ant-Retroviral Clinic, which the Kanyike Project funds. She contracted the illness from her mother, who sadly died shortly after giving birth to her, and was brought up by her grandmother. As Tendo’s immune system was low, she suffered from a constant cough as a child as well as bouts of malaria.
When I started the ART Clinic treatment at 7 years old, my life changed. Monthly treatment to provide palliative care, follow-ups and counselling from KAINSUDE health team made a significant improvement and for sure I am now feeling fine health wise.
I have boosted my immunity since I enjoy a balanced diet. We are given eggs and porridge at the clinic. I am very hopeful and optimistic about the future. Everyone who attends the Clinic is so grateful to the management and staff of KAINSUDE, but more so to the UK Trustees for the continued support and funding.
My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to the UK Trustees.
Rose is one of the earliest success stories of the Kanyike Project. She was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2003. Then, thanks to the help she was given, she was restored to health. Each time Father Kakuba passed her house she used to rush out to greet him and thanked him for saving her life. Without the early diagnosis and the regular medical treatment she received from the Kanyike Project, her story could be very different indeed.
She went on to run a shop from her house and, with the profits, built a new home. In the pictures below, her old house is on the left, and she is standing at the doorway of her new one (on the right).
And Rose was a positive force for advocating better health care and lifestyle in the wider community.
She recently died of old age. RIP
In 2008 Nduhura Enoch and his wife tested positive for AIDS and came to our Antiretroviral Clinic.
Enoch’s health had already greatly deteriorated: he was vulnerable to opportunistic infections because of his weakened immune system and had recurrent illness. When his wife died from cancer, he became severely depressed.
Today he is very healthy, thanks to counselling and treatment from our HIV/AIDS Clinics. His CD4 Count has increased tremendously and you can hardly tell that he is HIV positive. He is energetic and prospering in farming and poultry rearing.
Enoch re-married in 2017 in a colourful church wedding to a woman who is also living with HIV/AIDS and they are both very happy.
Enoch credits our services, especially the continuous palliative care he receives, to his recovery, and has become used to taking the daily drugs which manage his condition. He is now one of the role-models for people living with HIV/AIDS, and has been trained as a peer educators for those newly diagnosed with the condition. He uses his own experiences to greatly benefit other people living with HIV/AIDS.
Apologies for the photo. It is difficult to take good photo whilst observing social distancing!