Milk Formula program

The Milk Formula program - Every 15th of the month several women/caregivers come to ZMF-C at the farm to collect 6 tins of baby formula. Why? Various reasons - HIV mom gave birth to baby and died - but a relative can prepare the formula safely and feed the baby, baby's mom is so weak she cannot feed the baby so the formula is vital for this baby. Currently, there are about 12 babies that monthly depend on this program. Each caregiver is expected to bring baby and baby's under 5 card - with immunization record up to date. Some moms/caregivers travel many km to receive this precious gift.

ZMF-C can accomodate up to about 20 babies on the program and for some reason the numbers are lower at this time - but it is the rainy season - so that may be the reason. Transport can be difficult on the mom and the baby - as roads are not maintained and are VERY rough.

The new WHO mother to child HIV transmission guide is out and so I am reviewing that in order to better guide the mom's and families on best options for the baby - i.e. continued breastfeeding even for HIV mom's and babies. Need more info? ...try the WHO website.

Please remember these families in your prayers and if you are able to gift to this program then both you and another family will be blessed!

PS> donations for this program are sometimes used to attend to health needs for our "milk babies".

For example, on Monday, I'll transport Katy and her mom to Lusaka for surgery. Katy was in the orphan care program and was treated for meningitis last August. She was discharged to her family a few months back as they were able to safely manage the preparation of the milk formula for her. The residual effect of the meningitis is that she is now suffering from hydrocephalis. She'll be assessed and operated on hopefully by the end of the next week. She's now 8 months old and lives way out in the village of "Square" about a 3 hour walk from here or about an hour and a half truck transport from here. (google - Beit Cure hospitals - we have one in Lusaka, Zambia!)

Please especially remember Katy in your prayers this week - Psalm 19:18 - But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

Luka in grade 10 at Kalomo High School

Luka (yellow and navy striped tea shirt in front row) first became a sponsored pupil last year while he was in grade 9. Both parents died of HIV as has most of his aunties and uncles. He has been living with his lonely granny!

Luka is a survivor! He is also totally enjoying his experience at Kalomo High School as a grade 10 boarding student. He is small for his age, but that hasn't stopped him from taking on lead roles as in song leading for the kid led church service (attendance over 130 each sunday) and also participating in the choir and also in the male "quartet". (a quartet in Zambia can be anywhere from 4 - .....members!).

Luka is coming out of his shell and comes to greet me with much more confidence than a year ago. He is sponsored by Irene in Winnipeg. Thanks Irene for helping Luka - he is too sweet!

Good Hope pen pals of Balgonie Elementary School

On Friday I delivered penpal letters to the grade 7 class at Good Hope School from Sarah Slywka's grade 5 Balgonie class.

Several of the children took turns reading out loud the sweet notes from their Canadian friends.

The Zambian kids were truly excited to receive these letters. The letters stimulated much discussion - i.e. what is snow, what is ringette, why so much talk of the cold weather?, what is valentine's day?, what is a $5.00 bill? what is an "etch-a-sketch", what is Balgonie?

Thank you Balgonie Elementary school and particularly the grade 5 class for educating our Zambian kids about Canada and for taking a genuine interest in this group of kids!

This class was left with the assignment of constructing letters to return with Richard and Sue at the end of May.

March 17 - visit to Kalomo Hospital

Hello all
Sometimes its difficult to get photos to send - maybe a few words will transmit! It is St. Patrick's day - but haven't seen any Zambians wearing green today!

This am I spent the morning with Dr. George P - at Kalomo Hospital doing rounds in "bush medicine". Very little diagnostic equipment and not always the right medicine - so...."we use our brains" he says. George was a colleague of Shalin and Manoj at UTH - we have common friends.

I initially went to Kalomo Hospital this am to retrieve 4 month old baby Joy who had been hospitalized for almost a week with measles. She is stable now and was released this am - after rounds were done. Since I always seek information and since George was just beginning his rounds when I arrived at KH he agreed for me to just tag along for education purposes.

This am at Kalomo Hospital we saw a few cases of baby malnutrition - severe cases. Edema - and stunted growth. Also, possibly a case of parental neglect - a 10 year old gal who needed to be assessed for HIV - parent had neglected. She was mostly non-responsive - about a 7 on the GCS. A young gal who broke her femur playing "football" - and in traction weighted by 2 water jugs, a psychotic 22 year old woman responding to hallucinations... and responding well to some largactil and artane, several HIV positive patients, a young mom with measles, tb patients, tropical ulcer, diabetes....

Baby Joy was released with amoxicillan and tylenol prn - but NO amoxicillan was available - at the Hospital, or pharmacy in town or at Namwianga clinic - but I connected with Kathy Merritt who had some - Praise God for that b/c Joy's temp has spiked again and she sounds somewhat congested.

I also brought 14 month old Joseph as he woke up with a rash on arms and legs and small ulcers in his mouth and I wanted Dr. George to see if he possibly could have measles. He does not - at least yet. I'm keeping Joy away from the others for a few days.

The days remain quite warm - in the early 30's. The nights cool down to about 17 degrees. There are less rains, but rain is still welcome!

Good to hear from any of you!
Love
Sue

Kalomo town - the town nearest to us and where all the action is. Kalomo is 7 km. from where we stay. Kalomo is about the size of Weyburn - and has the hospital, post office, two secondary schools, 3 basic schools, a large open market area. We buy fresh veggies, meat, milk, talktime, chitenges, ... meet the buses that go to the big cities, meet friends and do business at El Pantano - the local happening eat in and take out food internet cafe business owned by the Mbumwae family.

Community Orphan Care