Hope for Tomorrow report

April 2010

Dear Sponsors

Richard and I returned to Zambia mid February this year. Nice time of year to come with the rainy season still in full swing and the maize crop growing taller and riper each day! Absolutely, lovely.

So far, this trip I’ve met twice with the nurses, Tebia and Fortune to discuss the future of the Hope for Tomorrow program. So far, the thinking is that due to government assistance for HIV/AIDS patients, and because most of our patients that were released from the program just over a year ago are functioning satisfactorily independent of assistance, we will continue to assist only the two children, Sibeso and Muna.

Judith, our only adult patient left on the program, will be discontinued from the program because her husband is employed and because the government nurses can monitor her condition.

Unfortunately, Caral who was on our program since 2006 died just over a week ago of kidney failure related to the harshness of the limited choice of available anti-retroviral medications. In Zambia there are not many choices of anti-retroviral therapy medication – and that is a harsh reality.

I’d been to visit Caral several times just prior to her death as she lived close by. It was quite sad to watch her suffer. As weak as she was, she always recognized who I was when I visited and greeted me even though she was barely alive. The kidney failure could have been assisted with renal dialysis which is available in Lusaka at the University Hospital for a sum of 3 million kwacha per week. (Approximately $750.00). That cost was completely unworkable and as well the therapy would have needed to be a few times a week for the duration of her life. Very difficult, especially knowing how such issues – such as easy access to good health care is in developed countries.

Not too sure of Caral’s exact age, but she was in her mid to late thirties. I attended her large “funeral” joining in with the singing and mourning at the home of Caral’s aunt, where Caral had lived for the past several years. Her suffering now has finally ended. Thanks to Caral’s sponsor – Eloise Smith who assisted Caral the past 5 years.

On a brighter side, Florence and Sibeso are both doing well. Sibeso continues to grow and she is a bright little girl. She even reminds her mother when it is time to take her pills. Sibeso now attends school in grade 2.

As well, Muna – now in grade 6 is doing very well. I had gone down to Bbello, his village to see him but unfortunately, since his uncle had died a few days before that I did not get to see him because he was at the funeral. Way too many deaths in this country!

As part of our plan for Muna and Sibeso the nurses and I are discussing a couple of possible income generating activities that will potentially generate money in an effort to supplement these kids.

All of these people that have been helped over the past 5 years express their thanks over and over! So…thank you to all who have contributed. May God continue to bless you in your lives! Sharing makes life richer!

Love to all

Sue Krogsgaard