Located in Nairobi, Kenya, Nyumbani Children’s Home has been a beacon of hope for children like two-year-old Evans, who arrived at the orphanage a year ago suffering from HIV and tuberculosis. The home, which cares for around 100 children, has been reliant on antiretroviral medication provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Kenyan government.
However, a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to freeze USAID’s funding has put the children’s access to life-saving antiretroviral drugs in jeopardy. The order, which seeks to review U.S. foreign aid for 90 days, has already led to the shutdown of USAID, impacting humanitarian programs globally.
For the children at Nyumbani, the situation is dire. Without the medication, their lives hang in the balance. The home has been a lifeline for these children, providing care and treatment that has transformed their health and allowed them to lead normal lives.
Since its establishment in 1992, Nyumbani has been instrumental in caring for orphaned and abandoned children living with HIV. The introduction of antiretroviral medication through initiatives like the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been crucial in improving the children’s health and well-being.
Over the years, USAID and PEPFAR have played a significant role in supporting Nyumbani, with donations totaling over $16 million. This funding has enabled the home to reach thousands of children through its various programs, providing essential medical care and support.
However, recent changes in USAID policy have led to the discontinuation of direct funding to organizations like Nyumbani. While the home has scaled down its outreach programs and referred beneficiaries to government institutions, it still relies on USAID for the supply of antiretroviral drugs.
The looming uncertainty has left caregivers and children at Nyumbani anxious about the future. With stocks of ARVs running low in Kenya, there are fears that children like Evans and Mercy, whose lives have been saved by the medication, may face a resurgence of health issues.
As the debate over foreign aid continues, the focus remains on the lives of these vulnerable children. The need for urgent action to ensure their access to essential medical care is paramount, as their well-being hangs in the balance.
