Day Six: Hopes of Grandparenting

Milka Anyango Odondi wants to be a grandmother someday. This morning, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. They are both HIV negative.

“When I was pregnant I wanted to know my status," she said. "I wanted to take every precaution to protect the life of my child. This is my third child and we are all negative.

"I have been taking good care of myself. I don’t move around with other men and I believe my husband is the same. We stick to each other.

"My husband told me that he tests every three months and that he does not go around with other women. We sat together and spoke about our lives and pledged to concentrate our love in our family.

"I encourage my friends to take good care of themselves and not to move around with other men. If they stay healthy, they can take care of their children for a long time. If they move around with other men, they might die earlier and leave their children at a too young of an age.

"I want to be a grandmother; I dream of it. I want to feel the pleasure of seeing my children grow older and I figure that by an old age, I’ll have a lot to teach to the younger ones.

"I have known some wise women and I want to be among them someday. I have seen their homes grow well through their wisdom. I wish to be the same.”

Hours after the birth, Milka had not yet chosen a name for her baby boy. Nor had she spoken with her husband. He works on a tea plantation in another district. In the rush to the hospital, she forgot to bring his phone number with her. When she will be speaking to him, she will ask him if he likes the name Ian Anyango.