Testimonials
Testimonials from the Guardians of the Children
we are Helping
“We need Make A Difference (MAD) in our lives to help
Peter and Joseph. They have both lost their parents due to AIDS
and as grandparents we cannot take care of them. We are often
getting sick and both of us have eye problems now. My wife can
barely see. We have no jobs, just our farm and we depend on
the weather to survive. If there is a drought we really suffer.
If the children were to stay with us they would have to take care
of us. We could feed them what little we get from our farm, but
not send them to school. They need education. Without the help
of MAD these children would probably end up like their parents,
which we couldn’t bare.”
(Translated from Swahili to English)
Mungu Atosha Elres Tesha, Age 79 years-old, Grandfather of Peter
and Joseph
“Being HIV+ and having mental problems my life is very difficult.
I lost my husband due to AIDS in 2003 and I have been left with
seven children to raise on my own. I ask you ... How can I take
care of my children? I can barely take care of myself! With
the help of Make A Difference, I have gained hope. I believe
my children will someday be able to get good jobs and take care
of me. I am not getting any healthier and I need their help.
They make sure my child, Revo is cared for and getting the best
education possible. As an educated leader in his community, someday
he may even be able to put an end to the terrible sickness that
many of us are suffering from, HIV/AIDS.”
(Translated from Swahili to English)
Yohana Apolnari, Age 56 years-old, Mother of Revo
“I have no money to send Mary to school, nor care for her.
I brew local banana beer to survive. It is our life and how we
get by. Mary’s father died in 2000 and her mother in 2002. I
love Mary, but I wasn’t planning to care for her. I don’t
have the means! Make A Difference has helped us a lot. Mary
is a bright girl with good manners. With the assistance of the
organization, MAD Mary has been able to get the best education
possible. There are so many children in the villages whom have
lost their parents due to AIDS and never get the chance to decide
what they want to do in life. MAD is making it possible for Mary
to use her gifts. Because of MAD she can really make a difference
in the world. We are most grateful!”
(Translated from Swahili to English)
Verynice Erico, Age 55 years-old, Aunt of Mary
“I am not able to take care of Neema. I get sick all the time.
Neema’s mother (my child) died in 1986 from Malaria. Her father
died in 1994 of Malaria as well. We thank God that Make A Difference
is helping Neema so she can develop into an educated woman. We
can see that Neema is healthy under the care of Make A Difference.
Her health has improved. She looks so good. She wears nice clothes
and has the school supplies she needs. We are happy that she is
getting a good education. It’s an education at a school that
we could never imagine that she’d be able to go to. Thank
you for your help.”
(Translated from Swahili to English)
Atanasia Joseph Ndelamio, Age 77 years-old, Grandmother of Neema
“My health is so bad there is no way that I could take of
Mwenda. I am too old. I am praying to God to help Make A Difference.
They do such a good job. They take care of Mwenda’s nutrition,
clothing, medicine and education. They also give him life skill
training. My daughter died of AIDS (Mwenda’s mother) and before
she died her husband died of AIDS. We don’t want the cycle to
continue. Make A Difference is helping put an end to the virus
by educating orphaned children that come from villages in the
Kilimanjaro area. Without education the virus will continue to
spread. We can’t thank the organization enough.”
(Translated from Swahili to English)
Prosper Kirama, Age Unknown (most likely late 70’s early 80’s),
Grandfather of Mwenda
