I Know Someone: Leah
Leah Agutu Oyugi - Lwala, Kenya
Meet our friend Leah. Leah has a smile that will light up the room, which happens often when she speaks of her children or late husband. It is a delight for us to be able to introduce Leah, as she is an inspiration to us all. Leah works with the local co-op in Lwala where she makes soap for the local WASH initiative and products for the Nashville based social enterprise Thistle Farms. She works as a single-mother, who is infected with HIV, so that her children have the opportunity to go to school.
Leah is also an inspiration to her community members. She inspires them to be get tested and be open with their status, as she is, so that they may also receive the care and support needed. She is also involved in the local WASH (Water & Sanitation, Hygiene) trainings and recognizes the importance of sanitation and clean water in her community. Although Leah lives a normal life, it does not mean she doesn't have tough days while living with the disease, her strong faith and supportive community help her through hard times. It is clear by her smile that hope prevails.
Leah gets treatment for HIV from the Lwala Community Sub-District Hospital, a former "clinic" seed-funded by Blood:Water in 2006. Since it's inception, the facility has grown from a small clinic to serve more than 1,000 patients monthly (600 of which receive HIV/AIDS care). It also houses a new maternity ward, and running water! You can learn more about the clinic, and how it was started, by watching the Sons of Lwala documentary.
Blood:Water Mission is focused on transformation, and this is your opportunity to join the discussion with your comments on stories and reports. With that in mind, we simply ask you to
Blood:Water Mission reserves the right to refuse to post any comments based on these criteria and basic principles.
For specific BWM questions and requests involving projects and other things such as volunteering and fundraising please contact our office or email bloodwater@bloodwatermission.com