Meet Mackenley

At three years old, Mackenley was hospitalized at Grace Children’s Hospital for an HIV-related illness. While in the hospital, his mother stopped visiting him. Hospital personnel later learned that the mother passed away. Several weeks after the mother’s death, Mackenley was declared abandoned by IBESR, and the social worker in charge of his case at Grace Children’s Hospital asked if he could live at the CHOAIDS home. In May 2016, Mackenley became among the
few younger children we have ever accepted in our care.

Mackenley is among the children in our care with learning and behavioral challenges which require constant supervision. However, with assistance from our social worker and tutors, he has made much progress over the past few years. Now thirteen years old, Mackenley has flourished into a vibrant young boy. He enjoys drawing and playing soccer, is dedicated to his studies, and wants to become an artist when he grows up.