Cute As A Button...

...and as small as one too!

2 years old, only 5.5kg....still an absolute cutie

Well here we are at Friday again! We’ve survived our first week without Tim and Maz and no hiccups to report (which is always a relief!).

Yesterday we were able to welcome home one of our most recent admissions - the little boy who’d originally arrived with acute gastroenteritis, dehydration and malnutrition. His situation was so critical that he needed two weeks in hospital! We are so happy that he has recovered his strength, gained some weight and is able to sit up and walk around normally now. He is even smiling now!

Today we have taken in another little girl. She has a similar background to the little boy. She is HIV+ and her mother has been failing to give her the ARV medication regularly *. She is severely malnourished and, although she is two years old, looks no bigger than a six-month-old. I was truly shocked when I met her. She is tiny, weighing less than 6kg (12 lbs). She is not a happy bunny at the moment and keeps asking for her Mummy but we hope she will manage to feel at home here before too long.

This little one’s mother is keen to take her back but we need to keep her until she is stable on her medication and gaining some weight. The mother will also need to be able to prove to the doctors and social workers that she understands the importance of ensuring her little girl takes the medication regularly and that she provides her with a good, nourishing diet and proper care.

These new intakes aren't unique situations. There are many, many children who are extremely vulnerable in this town. Many with extremely young mothers who are ill-prepared or unable to care for a small child and all their needs and demands. Many whose mothers simply don't have access to basics like being close to running water or money to buy food...

With these new arrivals the temporary children’s unit is starting to feel a little squashed! – We’ve been working our way through the snag list for the new unit and are SO close to moving in…..we are crossing our fingers for next week as long as all things go to plan!

... At least then we will have more spaces available for those vulnerable children who need a safe haven.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Love, Emily x
on behalf of the B team!

* It is imperative that ARVs are kept to. Failure to do so means that the body can build up resistance to the drugs and they become ineffective in fighting the virus. Once a patient becomes resistant to one line of ARVs they have to move onto the next line. There are limited lines available in South Africa currently so only a couple of chances to get it right.