I’d like to share a story with you about Joyce, a partner and friend of ours.

I met Joyce in the summer of 2006, when our partnership and friendship first began. First impressions: Joyce was frail, quiet and somewhat reserved; but simultaneously she was fiercely passionate and there was absolutely “a fire in her eyes“. That fire and passion burns for people infected, affected, and stigmatized by HIV/AIDs. Joyce is a social entrepreneur. At this time, Joyce also informed me that she was and is HIV+.

In the Spring of 2007, during my second visit to Kenya, I learned that Joyce had lost a son as a result of HIV/AIDs. After one of our monthly networking meetings Joyce, myself, and other friends of The 1010 Project were walking slowly towards the road as the meeting had ended. I expressed my condolences to Joyce and at that moment she broke down into uncontrollable tears.

She basically crumpled into my arms and openly wept for ten straight minutes. I have never felt so much pain. She said that it was her only son and that he was “18 yrs. and 2 months old“. She has no other family. Both of her children and her husband are dead. I didn’t know what to do, except hold her.

This past September when I was in Kenya, I met with Joyce and that “fire in her eyes” still burns brightly and intensely. Joyce has put on a lot of healthy weight and one of the first things that she said to me was,

Look at me Adams… (for some reason a lot of people call me “Adams” in Kenya)

Look at me Adams…

LOOK at how STRONG and HEALTHY I AM!

I was shocked at how vibrant she was and this time around, I began to cry. She proudly proclaimed that she has been living with HIV for over 20 years. Thanks to PEPFAR, she has been on the ARVs for some time now. Furthermore, Mother and Child with AIDS Support Organization (MOCASO), the community-based organization that Joyce founded and leads, has grown and progressed tremendously. MOCASO is now collaborating with numerous organizations, including USAID.

Joyce made it very clear that thanks to The 1010 Project’s investment and micro-grant for income-generating activities, she and MOCASO were able to endure and persevere through some very difficult years. She made me promise to tell all involved with The 1010 Project, how thankful and appreciative she was for the investment, support and friendship.

So on behalf of Joyce, thank you for joining her story and the story of The 1010 Project!

As you evaluate your giving options this holiday season, I hope you will choose to support our mission and friends like Joyce. We continue to invest your funds wisely, empowering social entrepreneurs and community-based organizations that are breaking the cycle of poverty.

Blessings,

Adam Delp
Executive Director

P.S. Please watch this short video about MOCASO and Joyce. You can see and hear, in her own words, a bit of her story and her appreciation for you!