Update - Marta, Leopoldina & Zacharias

Back in December 2008, Martha and myself went to visit a lady who was looking after seventeen children. Her siblings had died, leaving their children behind. She was cooking a small pot of beans to share between them all. She was at her wits end trying to feed them and look after them.

I noticed a young boy on his own, sitting quietly near a hedge. He was very sick, covered in sores and extremely weak. The lady broke into tears as she lifted the boy up and told us the story. He was HIV positive and too weak to do much now. He was five years old, could we help??

Look at the faces of these children - how many emotions can you see?

Nearly two years on, and a great deal has changed for the brother and sisters.

Marta, who at 14, was too old to go into the orphanage, moved into Martha’s house as she was a similar age to Martha’s daughters. Both Leopoldina and Zacharias were just 500 yards away at the orphanage. Close enough for Marta to vist every hour, if she wanted to.

Marta started studying an agricultural course in Maputo, in September 2009. She misses her brother and sister, and is homesick, but knows that this is a great opportunity for her. She comes home every few months.

Leopoldina, now nearly 10 is a happy, go lucky child. She has a fantastic voice, and is always singing. She's a typical cheeky ten year old.

Zacharias is now seven, he is on some fantastic medication that helps to manage HIV, and he’s doing really well, and as you can see, he's got a good appetite!!