16 March 2012
World Hope Academy held it’s annual student interviews last year in November and early this year to get new students to fill in the spaces left by outgoing students and those who proceeded to the next classes. The interviews held this time around brought us a huge blessing as we got to take in talented kids who are good in class and also in other extra-curricular activities. One of the unique cases we came across was that of Samson, a case we learned of recently and felt it worthwhile to write about.
Samson joined World Hope Academy this year,January2012, and he is being raised by both his parents who stay just within the World Hope Neighborhood in a single room Iron sheet house. Samson’s Mother doesn’t go to work and his father is a driver but is currently jobless as he hasn’t been able to land a job for a long time now.
When Samson joined our school we took his parents through the routine introduction of what we at World Hope Academy are all aboutt, our main reason behind serving the community, and how we prefer raising our students. This was taken positively by Samson’s mother and she went on to bring her child to our school. After a few days of admitting Samson, she seeked dialogue with his teacher so as to inform her of Samson’s case.
It was disclosed to Samson’s mother that he was H.I.V positive at the age of 1 ½ years after his frequent illness. During her pregnancy she was never told that she was H.I.V positive and thus this information caught her off guard and both parents went for tests and were found H.I.V positive After this, they were taken through counseling and put on treatment to improve their health. Samson was also put on medication and after some time he responded well to the medicine and began improving and presently he is not using ARV’s, but just septrin and antibiotics.
Samson is a very active child at school and his parents ensure he gets the right diet so that he can grow well without any complications. Samson has a younger sibling (Stephen) who is 1 year old now and his mother delivered him through caesarean section and was later tested and found negative
.
Samson although not aware of his status is a very jovial and positive boy who reminds his mother most of the time that he needs to take his medicine as he has now gotten used to the routine. Samson’s mother says the only person she has disclosed to about her status is her elder brother due to the fear of stigma and she is always prayerful that God helps Samson to grow up and achieve what he has been set to accomplish in life.
The family is currently operating on a tight budget as both the parents are jobless, yet they need to provide for the basic needs like food and shelter to their family and at the same time make sure they buy medication to keep their son going. This is rather an expensive venture as they cannot afford to pay his school fees in time which might mean Samson will frequently miss class despite his delicate health.
We appeal to all well wishers that can assist in helping pay Samson’s School fees and also assist the family in any way possible especially praying for them. This will go a long way in giving them hope and a reason to dare to dream of a bright future.
