Baby Charles

Charles arrived yesterday. He's 3 days old today and so far his life has been a challenge. His mom died 12 hours after delivering at home in the village. The placenta did not deliver and so she died of bleeding. Then his 3 aunties packed him up and travelled on an open lorry from near Belile - about 65 km over very rough road and likely they even experienced rain - its the rainy season. Then from Kalomo they took taxi to Seven Fountains Farm. He had a head to toe rash on him - many clear vesciles, some are with pus. His cord care has not been done and it doesn't look so great. He's dehydrated - been drinking a bit of goat's milk. So...today...its drink and sleep and give him amoxicillin. His first HIV test yesterday was negative. That is good news. He has good appetite and that is good news! There has not been a funeral for the mom - family report there is not enough money for the granny to travel from Siavonga. So...it will wait, I guess.