By Juli McGowan Boit | Published: September 2, 2013
Josephine Akinyi Achieng
2003 – 2012
Guest at Living Room: February 2 – 5, 2012
I first met eight year-old Josephine at an overcrowded government hospital an hour away from my home. Josephine was from even further. HIV had ravaged her little body, leaving her vulnerable and in need of a refuge. Very sadly, this was a scene that Josephine’s mother was far too familiar with; she had already witnessed multiple children die as a result of this cruel disease. When I met her, Josephine’s stomach was extremely swollen, enlarged as a result of heart failure. Josephine needed a place where she could not only be taken care of physically during her last days but also one where she and her mother could receive the emotional and spiritual support they so desperately needed.
Josephine was only at Kimbilio Hospice for three days, but she was quite the character to the end. Playful and sweet Josephine colored and posed for several pictures during her time at Living Room. She had been placed on a very restrictive diet, but she repeatedly requested that she could have French Fries. While she had been denied this request for quite some time, recognizing that she had only a few days left, we got Josephine the French Fries she had wanted for so long. Josephine died on a Sunday night, surrounded by her mother and a Living Room team who had fallen in love with this dear little girl.
Josephine is worth running for
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