Prima Stove Distribution Part 3

Translation:
The lady in the video told me that she was Clara Cheelo. She told me that her children were supposed to receive the kerosene stove with her but they were all out for holiday. The lady said she was so happy to receive the stove together as a family. She said the stove would help prepare the children’s food on time before they go to school. The lady says she is so grateful for the sponsors who purchased the stove.

Astridah shows off her ear!

Look closely and you will see the spot on the base of Astridah's ear where the surgeon made an incision.  This is Astridah's ear after the stitches were removed.  =)

A Word from Astridah's Grandmother

http://youtu.be/5e-QSFqeD9Q

The grandmother to Astridah says she is very grateful and happy for the treatment that has been done to the young girl. The lady says she so thankful to the sponsor who made everything possible. She told us that, had it not been for the sponsor, the grandmother would have not managed to take the girl for treatment. She said she was speaking from the hospital with excitement that Astridah got the treatment she deserved.

The grandmother went on to say since Astridah has no father and mother; she has now found a parent through this sponsor. The grandmother was touching Astridah ear to show that she was just from having surgery and all went on well. She also thanked CHILDHOPE staff and the American office for making Astridah treatment possible. The grandmother wished the sponsor, CHILDHOPE-ZAMBIA and the American office more of God’s blessings

Astridah's New Ear!!

Ok, that was a little bit of a dramatic title, I suppose.  Astridah did not get a new ear, but she did get the surgery on her ear drum that she has so desperately needed!! 

It all started with a sponsorship.  John started sponsoring Astridah back in May 2010, which was when the sponsorship program began.  Astridah and her grandmother (shown here in the photos above) appeared in a video that was posted to this blog.  The grandmother explained that Astridah had a difficult time hearing because her ear drum was broken.  Astridah is a complete orphan, and there is no way that her grandparents could afford to fix her ear.   The grandmother was especially upset at not being able to help her grand-daughter.

John, having heard the problem of Astridah's ear drum, immediately stepped in to help.  He has been paying for Astridah to get regular bi-monthly doctor's visits with the Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka.  This requires not only payment to the hospital, but, also, transportation costs back and forth!!  When the doctors were finally able to completely treat the infection and other problems, they sent notice to Chim of a recommended surgery that could restore Astridah's hearing. 

The surgery would take a few hours, but Astridah would have to stay 3 to 5 days at the hospital.  Also, Astridah's grandparents would have to be there in Lusaka, but they would not be able to stay in the hospital over-night.  It was determined that in order to make this surgery possible, we would need payment for the hospital, transportation costs, and hotel costs and meals for the grandparents while in Lusaka.  This is something the grandparents would never, in their lifetime, be able to provide for Astridah. 

John was contacted and given the details from the hospital.  He immediately jumped in and said that he would help her get the surgery she needs.  When word got back to Astridah's grandmother, she was over-joyed!  It was a life-long dream come true! 

Earlier this week, Astridah went in for the surgery.  The top picture shows the ear that was operated on.  The picture at the bottom is Astridah and her grandmother right after the surgery.  The operation was a success!  The doctor was able to repair the ear drum that had been damaged from so many untreated ear infections.  The doctors are not confident that this surgery alone will restore her hearing 100%, but they have helped her get one step closer to it.  Later Astridah will get her stitches removed, and then, she will return to Beit Cure a few weeks later for a hearing test to see if her hearing has improved.  If her hearing is not much better, they will recommend a hearing aide.  However, the operation will still be considered a success because the surgery will stop the ongoing ear infections. 

Thank you, John, for helping Astridah- This will no doubt help her in her studies as I can not imagine how she keeps up with the class when she can only hear so little!!  You will see the videos next.  John, you are considered part of Astridah's family.  You have taken the place of her parents.  The grandmother is so grateful for this and everything else you do!  Astridah is grateful too, but her hearing loss has caused her to be extremely timid in speaking.  Maybe she will come out of her shell as she gets used to her new ear drum!

Simbowe family 223 Manyana

Translation by Chim:
The lady in the video told me that she was Mildred Cheelo the mother to the child in the video. I asked the mother what grade the child was doing. Asked the name of the child. The lady told me that the child was Rachel Cheelo .She told me that the child was attending the CHILDHOPE supported ECCDE centre in Manyana. The lady is appealing for education support of the child through the purchase of books, bag, shoes etc. Asked the health of the child. The lady told me that the child was suffering from Malaria Asthma and stomach pains.

Rachel Cheelo #963 can be sponsored for $9 a month.  If you would like to sponsor her, please send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com 

Gertrude Cheelo Part 2

Osten Kupola #1084 above turned 4 years old on May 28th. His favorite pastime is making things out of clay. He wants to be a doctor when he grows up. He is in preschool where his favorite subject is recess! If you would like to sponsor Osten, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Gertrude Cheelo Part 1

Translation from Chim:
The lady in the video is the mother to the two children. I asked her name and she told me she was Gertrude Cheelo. I asked her to introduce the children. She said the baby's name is Elleny, and the little boy is Osten. Asked as to whether the eldest child was in school. She told me that he was at Naleza ECCDE. She told me that she was appealing for education support for her children. Elleny is now sponsored, but Osten is still in need of a sponsor. If you would like to sponsor Osten, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com I will be posting Osten's photo next...

Cheelo Family Part 2

Mweenze Cheelo #1027 above just turned 17 in June and is in the 9th grade (male). Phanuel Cheelo #1028 below is 12 years old and in the 5th grade (male).
Tubi Cheelo #1029 below is sponsored!

As you can see, 2 of the 3 Cheelo children are still in need of sponsors. Mweenze especially could go far. If he has a sponsor that supports him all through senior secondary and then to university, he would be able to help his family out of poverty. Without sponsorship, this year will more than likely be his last year of school. Senior secondary would be too expensive for him to continue.

To sponsor Mweenze for only $15 a month, click on "sponsor secondary student" on the right hand side of the blog. To sponsor Phanuel for only $9 a month, click on "sponsor primary student" on the upper right hand side of the blog.