Tuesday, September 9, 2008

New Additions to RVCV

Yesterday was my first day at the clinic and I started off getting to observe the first physicals for the two new additions to the Rift Valley Children's Village. A little boy, Musa, is 9 months old. And a little girl, 16 months, arrived without a name. India, the director of RVCV, named her Natalie - after India's mother.

Both children came from villages about two hours or so from where the clinic and RVCV are located, in some of the most desolate and destitute areas of Tanzania. Musa's mother recently died of AIDS and was left without any extended family to care for him. He weighs only 15 pounds due to malnutrition. But he was alert and expressive. Although at 9 months he can't sit on his own much less bear weight on his little legs. He is too young and too small for an accurate HIV test. He did test positive for malaria.

Natalie was in much worse shape. At 16 months she weighs only 16 pounds and does not walk yet. Her eyes were bright but she couldn't muster up the courage to smile, she was exhausted and incredibly shy. They only explanation is malnutrition - her labs all came back clear. The HIV test will take a few days. All India knows is that Natalie's mother suffers from mental illness and her family (as in the majority of Tanzanian families) assumed that Natalie was therefore mentally ill as well. All we can assume is that by not feeding her enough they hoped that she would pass away before anyone noticed. Someone did notice and Natalie ended up with India.

The blessing for them both is that they are now in the hands of the mamas, volunteers and staff at RVCV and will be fed and pampered 24/7. Without Rift Valley, these beautiful babies would most likely not see their first or second birthdays.

I will take pictures and hopefully post them as soon as I get up to Rift Valley for my first visit. Although by then I would bet they will be pudgy and full of smiles!

More to come ...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to keeping up with you through your blog. Keep up the fantastic work that you are doing there and I look forward to your updates! Miss you!
Kelly Iacuzzo
Columbus, OH, USA