Helping hand |
It is remarkable to see how Sudi, Abu and baby Athmani
have settled in to our family within just days of being taken into our care and away from all they had ever known.
Doing well |
To Athmani, at three weeks, and so fragile at 1.5kg, where
he was being cared for wouldn’t really matter,except without our intervention, at the
request of his grandmum, he may not have survived at all.
He was such a poorly little boy, losing weight instead of gaining
it, because his grandmother could only afford to buy cow’s milk for him and he couldn't digest it.
Lovely Sudi |
Now he is on a special formula milk for premature babies,
feeding well, and gaining weight. He is alert and very content.
Despite having lost their mum, who died in childbirth, just four weeks ago, Sudi, about four, and her little brother, Abu, who is around
three, have responded in no time to our
Happy House magic.
Coming from abject poverty and never having been to school, they happily started at our Little Chicks the day after they arrived and were doing
their baby class exam with the other kids two days later. Teacher
Madam Helen says that they were surprisingly good at holding a pencil and colouring in..
Madam Helen says that they were surprisingly good at holding a pencil and colouring in..
Trick or treat? |
Socially, the kids are absolutely at home. They only speak
their tribal tongue, Giriama, but as this is the tribe local to us it is also the birth
language of many of our staff and children so they are not entirely isolated..
Llanguage doesn’t seem to
matter, anyway, as Sudi and Abu play happily without words , taking their their
lead from their playmates. At mealtimes, they copy by
putting their hands together when it is time for grace,eating with cutlery etc.
Their new Happy House brothers and sisters are their
guides to their new world – they have shown them how to use their toothbrushes,to take a
shower and to use the toilet, all of which were alien to them.
Smiles better |
Abu and Sudi had their first taste of ice cream on Monday, it
was an Easter treat for the family. Abu
wasn’t sure what to make of it, when he tried the first spoonful he winced at the
unexpected cold. But after a few more tries, flavour triumphed over sensation
and he ate the lot, as did Sudi.
To see how this little trio are blossoming is a testimony to
the wonderful family Mama has created.
It is heartwarming and such a privilege to be a part of it.
It is heartwarming and such a privilege to be a part of it.