--Collins Onyongo is seven years old and in first grade. He is a quiet student and works hard in school. His father died of AIDS several years ago, and his mother discovered that she also is HIV positive, though she didn't want to admit it for a long time. Many HIV victims deny it at first because they are ashamed and will be treated badly by some in the community.
Collins has an older sister named Arian who also went to Tenderfeet, but she is older now and has started High School this year, thanks to a sponsor. It's very rare for kids from Kibera to go to High School, and Collins hopes to go as well.
Collins mother has been very sick in the past. She is very smart and hard working, but because of her illness, she lost her job selling lottery tickets. At one point in 2007, the family was locked out of their own home because they could not pay rent. They also had no food. Then the Tenderfeet teachers found out and started helping. The rent was paid, food was purchased, and Collins' mom was taken to the doctor. Things are much better for the family now.
In the past, Collins was also sick frequently. He was tested for HIV, and we found out he is HIV positive and has the disease. Thanks to the ARV drugs he is now taking, he is feeling strong like any healthy boy. Even though Collins has HIV, he is treated just like any other student at Tenderfeet, a place where he is loved and knows he belongs to a special family.
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