Light in the Darkness

Do you see Jeremie in the pink shirt below?  Life as he knew it stopped a few months ago when he started having about 30 minute periods multiple times daily of falling unconscious.  Along with this new illness, he lives with the reality of having fled war, and now having to live in a muddy IDP  (Internally Displaced Persons) tent camp with overflowing latrines, always wondering where his next meal will come from.  When I saw him in clinic, he was limp, cradled in his mother's arms.  I consulted with Patrick and he suggested we trial an anti-seizure medications, didn't think it would likely help.  I gave them a two weeks supply of pills and sent them on their way, wishing them well, but not very hopeful.  Jeremie and his mom showed up at our clinic at the IDP camp exactly two weeks later, with Jeremie awake and his mother all smiles!  He has not had any more periods of unconsciousness since started seizure medications!  I loaded them up with a month supply of the medications and asked if Jeremie has been in school. "No," exclaimed the mom, "But we're off to enroll him right now!"  Jeremie got his life back!  Thanks for giving so we have staff and medications to heal people like Jeremie.

Maki Ivandra Daniel is 5 months old.  Not only does he live in an IDP camp, but his mom died in childbirth at the General Hospital in Bunia.  Below he's being held by Tumaini, a nurse who lives in the camp and is helping us care for our patients that we transfer to the hospital. Next to him is his aunt who has adopted him, following the death of her sister, his mom.  Because of funds you all send, we have been able to provide him with infant formula since his birth.  One of the most amazing things about our orphan infant milk program is that it enables the babies to stay with loving, caring family members, instead of them being sent to orphanages where they will be given milk, but are away from their family.

I just had to get a picture of this grandmother.  She accompanied her granddaughter to clinic and was so concerned and involved about the well-being of her granddaughter. It's amazing to see radical, beautiful, sacrificial love in this context where there is so much loss, pain and suffering. 

This past Sunday we had a 'town hall' meeting, inviting anyone in the camp to come and share suggestions and concerns they have with our project.  We learned some important things, and certain needs were reinforced, like a bigger car for transporting them to and from the hospital.  Here they are, waving at you and saying thanks for your support.