Mothers of Korah

On my first day in Korah, I had a chance to meet a few of the 30 HIV mothers whom Great Hope Ministries reaches out to.  Many of these women have difficult and hard stories due to the conditions in Korah.  Rape and prostitution are a regular occurrence as income needed for food is difficult to find.  Of these mothers, some have young infants and they are unable to breastfeed their babies because of the risk they pose to their own children.  Without money, they cannot purchase formula and these babies are unlikely to survive.  Presently Great Hope is supporting 10 mothers with young babies, three of whom have sets of twins. Whenever possible these mothers are provided with formula and diapers. With the exception of these few children, babies in Korah do not wear diapers, which can lead to hyperthermia, as they lie on wet and soiled blankets.  Thanks to many who supported ‘Hope for Korah’, we were able to bring 40 pounds of formula in our suitcases, purchase diapers in Addis and give many of these and other mothers new baby blankets and clothing.  

I’d like you to meet Aragash.  Her warm and inviting smile brightened, as she introduced me to  

her beautiful baby. After putting a new pink jacket on her little one, I wondered why she was also motioning for the tinier blue sweater I held in my hand… It was then I discovered that she had a second baby; a newborn wrapped tightly on her back…  It is hard to understand how difficult and fearful it is for a mother living in such extreme poverty, suffering the shame and stigma of HIV and having to care for two small infants. I still can’t get my head around the magnitude of hardship these women face on a daily basis.  Great Hope Ministries truly is a beacon of hope and love for all of these precious women.