US President Barack Obama’s father was Kenyan, born in a small town called Kogelo. After his birth mother passed away, Barack Obama Senior was raised by another of his father’s wives – a woman called ‘Mama Sara’. Mama Sara is a kind, traditional woman who still lives in Kogelo. Alongside other family portraits on her walls hang photos of a young Barack Obama during visits to his Kenyan family home.
Positive Aid has supported HIV/AIDS projects in nearby areas, and through close links with our work, we were invited to visit Mama Sara at her home. Steve Mordecai, our local Kenyan manager, and Jess Alvarez, Founder of Positive Aid, chat together with Mama Sara under her mango tree in Kogelo on issues concerning HIV/AIDS.
Despite residing in a traditional Kenyan village and maintaining many traditional customs, Mama Sara advocates for HIV prevention, and the care and support of people living with the virus. She has been personally touched by the epidemic with close friends dying. Her support of our project is motivating and we are happy to share this short video. Thanks go to Mama Sara and her family in Kogelo for their time and permission to use this footage for our cause.