August 2009
Alexandre, a father of three, who lives in the small African country of Rwanda, says that the prayers of his son’s sponsor are giving his entire family hope to live. “If the sponsor is praying [for] and supporting the child, then his future is secured,” says Alexandre, who once had every reason to worry about his family’s future.
Burdened with HIV
Less than two years ago, Alexandre and his wife, Jacqueline, found out that they were both HIV positive. At the time, Jacqueline was five months pregnant. “I felt my time to die had come,” she says. Jacqueline received pills to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, but otherwise, she and Alexandre tried to live in denial of their HIV status. But their health only continued to deteriorate.
The concerns about HIV came at a time when Alexandre and Jacqueline were already burdened with worries about providing for their children. “It was one of the most difficult times in our family,” remembers Jacqueline. “We did not have enough food.”
‘Our children suffered’
Hunger only worsened the struggle with HIV, but it wasn’t just Alexandre and his wife whose health was at risk. “Even our children suffered a lot. Our older son was showing signs of malnutrition,” says Alexandre. The children were thin, nauseous, and had continual diarrhea.
“We were thinking that we were about to perish as a family,” remembers Jacqueline.
Food and medication
Alexandre playfully swings his son, Peace. This father of three dearly loves his children.
Photo ©2009 Andrea Peer/World Vision
As the family began to regain their strength, World Vision also provided seeds and agricultural training to improve long-term food security. “World Vision taught us how to grow food and produce so we could have a good harvest,” says Alexandre. Now, the family is producing enough food to eat and sell, and hunger and malnutrition are no longer a concern.
The love of a sponsor
Through his World Vision sponsorship, Josue receives benefits like access to health care and education.
Photo ©2009 Andrea Peer/World Vision
The love that Josue’s sponsor shares through letters has been an encouragement and motivation to the entire family. “Another thing that gives us comfort is when the sponsor says, ‘I always pray for you,’” says Alexandre, who believes in the power of prayer. “We too, pray for our sponsor.”
A new life
Alexandre does some work in the garden outside his family's home.
Photo ©2009 Andrea Peer/World Vision
Because of their World Vision sponsor, this family has also learned that they do not have to deal with their struggles alone. “It is amazing to learn that there are people who are compassionate enough to help people they don’t even know,” says Alexandre, marveling at the sponsor whose love helped to change his family’s life.
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