BABY NELITA IN HOSPITAL WITH 3 ILLNESSES
We knew from the start that 1 year old Nelita’s immune system was weakened due to her malnutrition upon joining our family. A sinus infection, resistant to Amoxicillin, complicated by malaria put her in the hospital last Monday. Her CBC blood analysis showed she had another infection, but the Doctor could not pin point where. One day later, her ears began to drain clear fluid from the ear drums, so the mystery was solved.
Baby Nelita sitting with Foster Mother Fatima on Dec. 4th.
With multiple IV antibiotics, plus malaria treatments, she is doing better, but still in hospital as I write. Please pray for this fragile little girl, for this is a rough start in life for any infant.
NELITA’S ILLNESS MEANS SHE WILL MOVE TO HOUSE #6
The 2 mothers who will live at House #6 have been tied up all week, as we had to do the “foster mother shuffle” so that 2 mothers could be at the hospital with Nelita at all times.
New Foster Mothers Maria (L) and Jamila ® standing in front of House #6.
The changes will now become permanent since Fatima (Nelita’s foster mother) must move with the infant to House #6. Jamila took over as Head Mother in Fatima’s place at the Ostrich House on Monday.
Ostrich House Family, December 2019. Zito playing big brother until school reopens end of January.
WHY THE MOVE? The photo of the Ostrich House Family shows that most of the residents are under 6 years of age. Due to Nelita’s low resistance to childhood respiratory diseases, the Doctor requested that we isolate her from small children to enhance her chances of recovery. The children who will live in House #6 are all school age, making it a safer environment for an immune challenged infant.
We worked all yesterday getting House #6 ready to receive the 2 foster mothers and 7 children, but Nelita was not released from the hospital. HOUSE #6 IS READY, and will receive her new family as soon as Nelita is free to come home.
3 BRIDGES DOWN– MASSIVE FLOODING IN MELUCO ORPHANAGE AREA
Rainfall has been tremendous in the last 2 weeks thanks to a tropical storm that filled all the local rivers to overflowing. Two bridges near Meluco town, plus the MASSIVE MONTEPUEZ RIVER BRIDGE ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY WERE DESTROYED.
Thankfully, Manel, our driver alerted me to the damage to the local bridges near Meluco that he saw on his December 22nd supply trip.
Montepuez River Bridge badly damaged by floods. (NOT our truck in photo)
We immediately moved 3 months supplies to the 400+ orphans now living in this area cut off from the rest of Mozambique.
Thankfully, the rains have returned to normal as of this week, and the river levels are decreasing.
Keep the repair teams and our Meluco orphans in prayer during this difficult time. PTL that all the orphans are safe, and have what they need until end of March.
God’s Blessings to you all, and a Happy New Year!
BUSH BUNNY BRENDA LANGE
AND THE BALAMA STAFFPlease don’t forget to check out and share our 2019 OU Video.https://youtu.be/M0XCggD68d8