Quest for Change: An Intern's Story Jambo! My name is Kelly Orr (at left with University of Cincinnati physicians, Laurie Carrier and Mara Tomaszewski) and I am currently an intern with SOTENI in Kenya. I graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, in 2006, and after a few years of bouncing around various administrative jobs, I realized I needed a change --- not just of scenery, but of perspective.
I don't expect to return from Kenya in three months the same person I am today. For me, this is the point. It has been easy to live my life in the United States, insulated from the struggles of developing countries as they battle HIV/AIDS. In fact, I have never in my life known someone who is HIV positive.
Over the next few months, this will completely change. I hope that living as a Kenyan, amidst the worst pandemic to ravage this planet, I will not only come to understand the problem firsthand, but become part of the force which changes the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The projects I will be working on will be defined by change and bringing fresh approaches to solving longstanding problems. I am excited to help launch microfinance enterprises for women's groups who have long awaited the opportunity for economic development. Additionally, I am eager to bring a fresh voice to sex education discussions with children, empowering them with knowledge they need to protect themselves and limit the spread of HIV/AIDS.
If the last few months have taught me anything, it is that anything is possible! I get to work with the optimism that I can change myself, as well as the lives of others here in Kenya. I will let you know how it goes!
(You may also keep up with Kelly through her blog at
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An ABD's personal transformation
Henry Mwami (right in photo) is a SOTENI AIDS Barefoot Doctor (ABD). He lives with his wife and six children near SOTENI Village of Hope-Mbakalo. Henry is HIV positive.
Henry says unequivocally that his sense of self-worth and his relationship to others in the community has been "elevated" through his involvement with SOTENI.
His training as an ABD gave him the knowledge to understand HIV as a disease, not a stigma. In his personal life this was crucial to his self-concept as he no longer feared telling others he had the disease. His ABD training also gave him the skills to help others living with HIV/AIDS. During home visits he educates about the disease, offers nutrition counseling, teaches family members how to give good home care to acutely ill persons and provides drugs for pain management.
He knows that one of SOTENI's goals is to make living with HIV/AIDS more bearable, and he feels that he is "equipped with both the knowledge and the material to make the objectives of the (ABD) project come true."
Henry also feels valued by the people and community he serves. He says, "Through this programme I have found that my relationship with the community has really been elevated because of the goals ahead of us and the similarities I have with the people during home visits."
Henry credits SOTENI with facilitating his personal transformation and that of the community. "I look at SOTENI as a savior of the community from health hazards like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and other ailments," he said. "Additionally this programme has created employment opportunities for the ABDs, thus improving the life standards of the same, and for this I say thanks to the initiators SI, SK and SVH-Mbakalo. "
Henry is grateful. "The knowledge I have now remains as a cornerstone for all operations throughout my life. "
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Last month's e-newsletter focused on involvement and offered suggestions for how to get involved with SOTENI. This month we focus on two examples of how involvement with SOTENI is helping to change lives for the better!