yonas

"where you live should no longer determine whether you live"
Bono

tough morning.  as i remade Joelle's bed with fresh sheets, i glanced up at her poster on the wall.  it is black with the shape of Africa designed by single words relaying the struggles that plague the continent.  "hunger, poverty, fragile, etc..".  the above quote is at the bottom.  it is hitting hard today. 

a few hours earlier, and prior to wrapping gifts, i glanced at the computer to find an update from Eyob.  Yonas is in rough shape.  we've received word that he is HIV+.  as many of you know, he is officially receiving sponsorship money now to cover medical expenses, food, education, etc...as a result, he has had a social worker visit his current home and it was determined that he is quite sick and needing a "great deal" of treatment from a physician.  it has also been confirmed that his parents died of AIDS.  i don't know a lot about lab values and the most current treatment of HIV.  i do know that he's had symptoms for awhile, as was feared.  his CD4 number is 172 and this is low.  he has started on ART meds, and i do not know what his prognosis will be (i suspect it is too advanced to be positive) now that the necessary meds have been started.  i've asked more questions and am determined to research more online. 
the good news is this~  Eyob has follow-up planned for Yonas, with a physician, and talks about joining with a nearby organization that is more equipped to care for HIV+ kids.  also, the sponsorship funds are being directed to specifically boost immunity through proper nutrition and pay for his medications and testing.   more than that, sponsorship is Yonas' link to people that deeply care.
i hate that Yonas faces this life-altering diagnosis without the love of a family to wrap around him.  i hate that AIDS took his parents, and that where he lives, quite simply, has caused such giant delays in diagnosis and treatment.  i hate that he may already have AIDS because of those delays.  i hate that the Ethiopian government is not yet agreeing to deem this child "adoptable".  i believe there is even a programme/agency in the states that is specifically for US families wishing to adopt HIV+kids...this i will also research... 
yet, i'm soooo thankful for all that have cared from afar.  thanks to all who have contributed to his sponsorship.  again~ if you believe in the power of prayer, please pray.  i'll update here as i receive news.
this, all while i'm about to wrap treasures for my children to tear open in a few days... how do i reconcile the two worlds?  one world where my kids have very few cares and are wildly anticipating all that Christmas means.  the other world where Yonas (and countless others) feels unwell, underfed, scared and alone, oh yeah~ all while he fights for his life.  all while longing for a family to belong to.  so heartbreaking....messes. me. up.