Walking With Children Founder and Executive Director, Chris Frederick
Chris Frederick’s personal journey with HIV/AIDS began in 1987 when her best friend’s husband was diagnosed with the disease due to having Hemophilia.
In 1989, Chris became a registered nurse and began to specialize her knowledge in the areas of medical/surgical, trauma/critical care, and rehabilitation nursing. Eight years later, she accepted a position in a multidisciplinary clinic that cares for people living with HIV/AIDS. It was about that time when Chris also expanded her professional experience by joining the American Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC). She’s been with this progressive organization ever since, currently serving in a consulting role for their International Nursing Committee.
In 1998, Chris earned her Masters of Science in Nursing Degree as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist in Michigan from Grand Valley State University. Soon after graduation, Chris concluded that her medical skills could be of immediate use in Honduras, working in a medical mission assisting those devastated by Hurricane Mitch.
When she returned home, her thoughts turned back to the wonderful people she met in Honduras. After some thoughtful prayer, Chris decided that she needed to use her skills and education to do whatever she could to help. She returned to Honduras and opened a home and hospice for children living with HIV/AIDS. Between April 1999 and January 2005, she developed and managed a unique and desperately needed home that provided direct, on-going care for 30 HIV-positive children.
In 2005, Chris’ career took a new direction. She was presented with an opportunity to create another successful home and hospice for children living with HIV/AIDS in the heart of the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. In 2006, the doors of the facility aptly named “Walking With Children” opened and her journey for caring for these wonderful children living with this incurable disease continues.
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October 2006 Update
“In my August update, I explained that I had been asked to sit on a committee to discuss the issues and solutions to the HIV/AIDS/Health care crisis in Honduras. Well, the commitment I have made is quite a big one. We continue to meet weekly and are including more non-governmental and governmental organizations to help with planning for the future. The current antiretroviral medicine crisis was resolved for the short run. What we are focused on now are the other current crises: reagent availability for performing CD4 and Viral Load lab tests, reagent availability for performing basic HIV testing, availability of infant formula for preventing vertical transmission, availability of Kaletra for use in salvage therapy, and over 50 children on a waiting list for starting this life-saving therapy to name a few. I feel I am there to speak up for the children who have no voice and to hold those accountable when the children’s needs are not being met. I am learning so much in the process.
I have been working hard at contacting people, completing research, and planning the start up of the U.S.-based foundation. In order to set up the 501c3 in the States, I will first need to incorporate the foundation at the state level. I will be doing this in Michigan in November. Once this has been accomplished, we will proceed with the federal part of the process. This process will take a minimum of 9 months.”
Our Vision
Walking With Children will remain a model for Central America by providing the best quality care and education to persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
My Responsabilities As Director Include
- Setting up the Honduran Foundation
- Managing the Honduran Board of Directors
- Setting up the US 501(c)3
- Directing Fundraising in both the US and Honduras
- Providing direct medical care to our children
- Administration and Management of the home and the care of the resident children
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