A Thank You from Gift and his Family

Translation:
I asked the lady in the video what her name was.  She said she is Gladness Nyanwa- the grandmother to Gift. Asked as to how Gift was feeling after being discharged from the University Teaching Hospital(UTH).The grandmother said Gift was feeling much, much better such that he was able to play with friends and run around. Asked what she could tell the sponsor concerning Gift’s treatment.
The grandmother said she was thankful for the support she got for Gift’s treatment and that she herself was also well looked after in Lusaka. She wished the sponsors more of God’s blessings and asked the sponsor to continue sponsoring the boy when even need arises. She went on to say that had it not been for the sponsors, Gift’s treatment would have been impossible. She also thanked CHILDHOPE for the support they rendered while Gift was in the hospital.

Gift is not only feeling great, he is cancer-free!!!  yay!!!  Thank you sponsors!!

Update on Gift's Health

Gift was rushed to Lusaka this morning after a hospital visit in Mazabuka found he was extremely ill.  $350 was raised to cover some of the costs of the transport, medicines, food, and accommodations.  We will soon have an update on his diagnosis and what the total cost will be to make him better.  I am extremely grateful to the donors who provided Gift with his chance to live!  His family would only have been able to keep him comfortable and wait for him to die, since they do not have the funds to get him to Lusaka and treatment.  As you may imagine, Gift's grandmother is in awe of the love that you all have poured out on Gift and his family. 

I will keep you posted as I have more information. The staff of CHZ in Zambia have been going back and forth to get the family settled at the hospital and get the funds logged in.  It has been hectic for them, but it is all for a good cause =) 

Another Mulomba Emergency!

Little Gift looks the picture of health to me.  This is him at the distribution held in April.  He received a medical exam, and serious problems were found.  The summary was: respiratory problems, deformed chest, heart murmur with tachypnea, migraine headaches, physical disability, child to be seen by surgeon to ascertain the positions of the chest organs.

It was discovered that Gift's heart is growing at an alarming rate.  Chim contacted me today to let me know that we have a medical emergency, and we have taken immediate action.  He may need to go to Lusaka, and that is something that Chim will look into.  At any rate, I have sent the funds in advance of the sponsor's payment, so that there is no delay.  Chim will be in Mazabuka in the next few hours, and will make sure that Gift is taken care of on that end.  Next, we will have to wait and see what the doctors say.  Please have Gift and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he and his family go through this very scary experience!

The World is Missing One Precious Boy Today

"It is with this deep sorrow and grief to let you know that we lost Clever Mulomba. As an organization, we are deeply saddened for the loss of this child who could have contributed to the development of our country.

We are also praying that God will strengthen the Mulomba family during this trying moment. The mother to the lost boy is poor such that she cannot manage to handle the funeral expenses etc. If there are people that can help out there. Here is what is required:

Coffin=$175

Transport to carry the body to the village=$100

Food at the funeral=$180

Transport for the office staff to attend the funeral=$200

Am sure there could be other expenses that will re-surface while we are in the community. The mother will be struck with grief and made need food support.
So far this is what is needed however, if we can have more support for this family it will lighten the heavy burden the old lady is carrying. As an organization, we need to attend the funeral of this child.

I have seen the funds that you have sent so far that could have helped the boy get treatment. Please thank the sponsors so much and May God bless them. Actually before he died I received a message that he needed to be evacuated to Lusaka for special treatment as the doctor's recommendation. It's like you knew that he would be required to get to there."

It all just happened so fast. We must learn from this and do things differently from here on out so that we do not lose any more children. If the parents know that we are here to help, I think they will reach out sooner. If we catch this is time, we can resolve with issue with protein rich diets and medicines at home.

This death should not have happened.  We are in a place where we always have something to eat in our homes and easy access to medical care.  Please share your comments and concerns with the group. This death has hit me hard, and I know it will affect some of you as well. We need the support of each other.

If you would like to help with the funeral expenses you may use the checkout button on the right hand side of this blog.  We have set up a fund so that we do not lose any more children due to medical reasons that can be fixed with treatment.  Any excess funds collected will go into an account to get seriously ill children an immediate medical exam to assess their needs.   Thank you for all you do.

A Boy to be Healed

Clever's condition has worsened.  It just kills me to see him like this.  This is not acceptable for any child!!  They are not sure what is ailing his tummy, but the malnutrition is something that is 100% preventable.  I have to think that Clever's mother didn't know there was help out there and that is why it took so long for her to reach out to CHILDHOPE. 

Now that she has reached out, the situation is so dire, that I just pray we are given enough time (by God) to save this child. 

In many poor countries malnutrition is so rampant that most mothers have seen at least one of their children die.   Can you imagine?!  If that does not speak a thousand words, I don't know what does!  If you are a mother, you can expect that at least one of your children will die!  I have 2 daughters myself, and even if I had 11 children, it would be too much for me to watch 1 of those 11 children die!!  How these ladies are strong enough to carry on and do the best for their children in spite of these extreme heartaches I do not know.

Imagine being a mother and seeing your child like this and not being able to do anything  about it.  This is not my child, but yet, I feel like all of these children are my responsibility.  I just wish I could get to the hospital and put my arms around them and harrass the doctors and nurses to get them the care they need.  Since I can't, I will do all that I can do from here.

One of Our Children was Rushed to the Hospital

For those of you who do not follow us on the yahoo group, I am sending you the message here.  At last distribution, a child was brought to Chim's attention.  He appeared to be very ill, and Chim returned to Lusaka with a video, photo and information about the boy.  The boy's name is Clever.  He just got a sponsor a few days ago actually. 

Yesterday (Saturday), his belly was swelling.  Thanks to his new sponsor, the family was given funds to get him treated.  At first they were headed to the clinic, but it was soon clear that they would need access to the equiptment and medicines that would be easier provided by a hospital.  They rushed him on to the hospital. 

Now, we must sit and wait for word from Chim.  He is already headed to Mazabuka, and he will send us updates once he is there.  He does not have a car, so relying on public transportation will make some things difficult, but as soon as I know something, I will let you all know.  I know everyone is worried about him.  Please continue to keep him and his mother in your thoughts and prayers!