Keep a Child Alive

Day 30 - Sifiso: A Father with a Future

The statistics associated with HIV in the world today are unbelievable – 33 million people infected with the virus, 30 million people dead and 16 million orphaned.  But when you meet just one of those 33 million infected, you are changed because it’s no longer a statistic but a person and their life. KCA’s Louise O’Shea shares her daily inspiration with us:

I first heard Sifiso’s story when I was in South Africa in January 2010 with our KCA College PSA winners on a home-based care visit to some patients from the Blue Roof. I have been fortunate enough to spend some time at our Blue Roof Wellness Center and every minute there I absolutely cherish the work we do as I have the opportunity to meet the people whose lives are changed. Home-based care visits are particularly valuable as care takers reach patients who are too ill to travel to the clinic and ensure they receive the treatment and care they need to survive – and the patients I’ve visited love to see a familiar face and have a hug.

Sifiso Xulu first came to the Blue Roof with a CD4 count of 15.8, violently ill and had no hope of living. To give you an idea, a normal CD4 count can be anywhere from 500-1500. Immediately starting on ARV treatment, his CD4 count began to rise and this father was coming back to life for his children. After his positive diagnosis of HIV, the mother of Sifiso’s children left him with 3 children under the age of 6. Unfortunately, as HIV weakens your immune system, it opens opportunities for other infections to attack your body until you’re back to full health and in 2008, Sifiso was diagnosed with spinal TB and was hospitalized for a long time and confined to a wheelchair.

When I traveled with Thulani, the Blue Roof’s driver, he said he wanted to introduce me to a friend at the end of our home-based care visits. He told me this story and said to me ‘’Mama, he is not in very good shape and isn’t walking yet but you’ll love his children and I want you to meet him.’’ So we parked the van outside of the house and as we closed the doors, this beautiful face emerged from the home walking on crutches with his 3 children running around him. Thulani covered his mouth and was speechless.

I went back to see Sifiso in February 2011 and once again, he came out of his home waving. I cannot explain the joy that moment gave me - to see someone coming back to life and able to be a father again. He welcomed me inside and told me his CD4 count is at 461! He was so proud. With 3 young children at home, Sifiso knew his time was not up and says that he owes his life to his family, especially his mother and the Blue Roof workers who have supported him over the years with help and love. He is now able to travel to the Blue Roof for his medication and check-ups and is waiting for an operation so that he can fully walk again without crutches. Sifiso Xulu’s life has been changed from the Blue Roof Wellness Center with the love, treatment and support the staff offers.

Sifiso is another reason why we do what we do at Keep a Child Alive. Text BUYLIFE to 90999 to give $10 to help us continue these inspirational stories of hope, love and strength.

See all of our Daily Inspirations.