TWINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Dina and Dionisio, born July 7, 2024, joined our Infant Formula Program in late November after their mother died from unknown causes. Sadly, the twins weighed only 4.5kg/10lbs. each at 6 months of age! Seems the mother had little breast milk, and the family was a bit slow in realizing the infants needed help. |
![]() (L to R) Foster Mom Marcelina with Dionesio, and Foster Mother Razilda with Dina, both 7 months old on Jan. 7th. |
Our staff taught the Grandmother and her 14-year-old daughter how to care for the infants. However, after 2 weeks of no progress, the Malnutrition Doctor at the hospital agreed with me that the infants would perish if not given proper care. Dina had to be admitted immediately on December 24th with Bronchial Pneumonia, and was placed into our care. The family insisted on taking Dionisio home with them, even though he had an Upper Respiratory Infection for 2 weeks that was not improving. Found out later that the Granny wasn’t giving the medicine but once a day instead of twice a day as instructed. On December 27th, we contacted the Uncle to see how Dionisio was doing. He told us the infant was struggling. We asked him to bring him in immediately (as he has a motorbike), and they live in a village 15km/9 miles away. He stated he would come very early the next day, as the Granny had taken the sick infant to their farm and wouldn’t be back till late afternoon. FRUSTRATION doesn’t describe how my staff and I felt over this. Would we receive Dionisio in time to save him? Thankfully, at 6:15 on December 28th we found out that Dionisio wasn’t as bad as expected. With some good nasal care and proper meds, he didn’t need hospitalization, PTL! That very day, both babies were placed into our care with the family’s blessing; Dionisio first, followed by his sister’s release from the hospital a few hours later. It was a busy Saturday for sure, but with GREAT RELIEF that both babies were now safe, and on the road to recovery. THAT’S WHAT I CALL A GREAT ENDING TO A BUSY YEAR! I know I have said this many times, but it is true that we can only rescue orphaned babies as God provides. YOU are the “village” that God provides, as it “takes a village” to provide the frontline troops with what is needed. THANK YOU FOR MAKING 2024 A YEAR THAT 15 INFANTS WERE RESCUED, WITH ONLY 1 LOSS (ARTUR) from complicated malaria. JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN, AND SENT ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A CHANCE AT LIFE. BLESSINGS FOR 2025, BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE AND THE BALAMA STAFF |