Naomi's Follow Up
The first time we tried to discharge Naomi we decided it would be unconscionable to leave her at her house. Her mom had no job, no way to feed her 3 other children, and was si
ck with HIV. Her father had simply “disappeared.” Realizing that leaving Naomi there was not safe, we brought her back to the Nursery. Five months later, we decided to try discharging her again. This time things were better. Mom had a job selling vegetables at the market, she was doing well on HIV treatment, and she wanted her daughter back. So, we left Naomi at home.
It has now been 2 weeks since we discharged Naomi to her mother--time for her first follow up visit. I dreaded what we would find. Naomi’s house is a cement room with no windows, no plumbing, no electricity, and no beds or other furniture. Was her mother able to cope? Was she feeding Naomi? Was she bathing her and keeping her warm on our cold fall nights? Would we find Naomi to be OK? My heart was in my throat as we started on our way.
When we pull up to Naomi’s house, there she is—sitting with her mom and brother and sister. They are sorting rape (a salad green) and tying it into bundles for sale at the market. Naomi is happy. Her mom looks well. Naomi stares at us tentatively and comes to us only reluctantly. She clings to her mom for comfort. The best sign we could possibly see!
Naomi has not gained any weight in the 2 weeks she has been home. She does not like the well water her mother has access to. If mixed with formula powder she will drink the water, but not at other times. This is a major concern, especially when the weather is hot and she needs a drink. Naomi will drink the water from the community tap; however, her mother can’t afford it. Well water costs 100 kwacha a month (
66 cents). Water from the tap costs 200 kwacha a month ($1.20). We advised her to borrow tap water for Naomi until June 1st. By that time we are hoping the local church in her village will help support the family by paying for them to receive water from the village tap. This way Naomi will have water to drink and will not become dehydrated.
Could we (or you) afford to cover Naomi’s water bill? Of course. But this will not help Malawians to take care of Malawians. We want the village church to become involved with this family because they can provide emotional and spiritual support in addition to water. Maybe this will help enable Naomi to stay at home with her mother and siblings. We hope so.
ck with HIV. Her father had simply “disappeared.” Realizing that leaving Naomi there was not safe, we brought her back to the Nursery. Five months later, we decided to try discharging her again. This time things were better. Mom had a job selling vegetables at the market, she was doing well on HIV treatment, and she wanted her daughter back. So, we left Naomi at home.It has now been 2 weeks since we discharged Naomi to her mother--time for her first follow up visit. I dreaded what we would find. Naomi’s house is a cement room with no windows, no plumbing, no electricity, and no beds or other furniture. Was her mother able to cope? Was she feeding Naomi? Was she bathing her and keeping her warm on our cold fall nights? Would we find Naomi to be OK? My heart was in my throat as we started on our way.
When we pull up to Naomi’s house, there she is—sitting with her mom and brother and sister. They are sorting rape (a salad green) and tying it into bundles for sale at the market. Naomi is happy. Her mom looks well. Naomi stares at us tentatively and comes to us only reluctantly. She clings to her mom for comfort. The best sign we could possibly see!
Naomi has not gained any weight in the 2 weeks she has been home. She does not like the well water her mother has access to. If mixed with formula powder she will drink the water, but not at other times. This is a major concern, especially when the weather is hot and she needs a drink. Naomi will drink the water from the community tap; however, her mother can’t afford it. Well water costs 100 kwacha a month (
66 cents). Water from the tap costs 200 kwacha a month ($1.20). We advised her to borrow tap water for Naomi until June 1st. By that time we are hoping the local church in her village will help support the family by paying for them to receive water from the village tap. This way Naomi will have water to drink and will not become dehydrated.Could we (or you) afford to cover Naomi’s water bill? Of course. But this will not help Malawians to take care of Malawians. We want the village church to become involved with this family because they can provide emotional and spiritual support in addition to water. Maybe this will help enable Naomi to stay at home with her mother and siblings. We hope so.
posted by Paul and Darlene Heller at 11:01 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home