Tendai Gambiza (12 years old)

This is Tendai Gambiza, aged 12, living in Rusike Park, Marondera with her Aunt. Both Tendai's parents fell sick and died of HIV/AIDs, she is living with the disease. She was once a candidate for government sponsored treatment but this has since stopped due to the disintegration of Zimbabwe's Health and Social Services systems.Patience and I both noticed that she wasn't fit to participate in Saturday's game and I took time out to talk with her. Her approach to life and her illness is resiliant, she is exceptionally bright. Her story is particularly heart wrenching. She says that although she's often too sick to attend class, she makes sure she sits all exams and is always in the top five. She says school comes easy for her. When I asked her to make 3 wishes she wished for the following-1. That the pain in her chest go away.2. That she live long enough to finish school.3. That she can make enough money to support her family so they don't have to sleep hungry.Mrs Garwe ("Gogo" to all the girls now) organised for her to see a doctor yesterday (Tuesday 4 October) and it is suspected that she has Tuberculosis. Unfortunately they couldn't do the tests in Marondera as the labs are closed and we'll have to arrange for her to travel to Harare. After speaking to the Community Mothers (volunteers who oversee the child-headed households) this is the most common problem they face. Most of the children in our programme are victims of the HIV/AIDS scourge and many of them afflicted with the disease. I promise to keep you up-dated on Tendai's progress, all I ask for right now is that you remember her and the millions like her in her in your thoughts and prayers.

Tendai Gambiza (12)