The Boss

We all love the boss! She’s a person of few words but her occasional smile and penetrating brown eyes are motivation for us to work harder and more passionately than we have ever worked before. The job she offers is immensely challenging but overflowing with rewards. 

Mirriam is our boss. We met her when she was two years old. She’s been HIV positive since birth.

Many would consider Mirriam fortunate because she has a mother (also HIV positive) which makes Mirriam a ‘single’ orphan. ‘Double’ orphans have neither a mother nor a father. Both Mirriam and her mother, Ethel, will take medication regularly for the rest of their lives. That’s assuming, of course, that they can find money for transportation to the nearest clinic where the medication is supplied by the government; that they receive enough nutrition to keep their immune systems as healthy as possible; and that they don’t get discouraged and quit taking the medication because of the side effects.

Fortunately for Mirriam, her mother is dedicated to making the monthly treks across town to obtain the ARV medication needed to combat Mirriam’s health challenges. After several years on the job as our boss, Mirriam is enrolled in school and doing well. During her tenure, the work of HealthEd Connect has expanded rapidly and Mirriam now shares her ‘boss’ responsibilities with over 1,400 orphans and vulnerable children enrolled in our three partner community schools. We are totally mesmerized by all these little ‘bosses’ who are accomplishing amazing things against all odds.

We at HealthEd Connect are highly motivated by our little bosses and will do everything we can to provide them with as many opportunities as possible. You’re invited to sign on and work for them, too. You won’t be disappointed!

Check our most recent blog post about our boss and her education journey!