Cradle of Love Baby Home

"As water to the thirsty, so is good news from a foreign land." My friend Trina Gee so kindly made the long trip from her house to the Home yesterday so that she could check on how things were for me.  She spent a lot of time there checking out everything and having a long talk with the supervisor, Zahara.  Trina was pleased with what she saw. Sure there are a few small issues, like a laundry lady has been sick and the weather is bad, so the laundry is piling up some. A couple babies with rashes and one with a urinary tract infection, but they are all being treated.  It was a tremendous relief to me.

On Friday I got word that baby Jane died. I did not want to talk about it until I knew the details. She is the baby who has a birthmother –the same mother of Ally and Zainabu. Jane was sick so the mother was called to come and take her to the hospital. She came, but did not take her to the hospital, but only took her home and gave her ORS. (Hospital care is free) Which we were already doing. Within 3 days, Jane died at home.  This is the mother who refused to allow Jane to be adopted because "there was nothing in it for her!"  What a needless tradgedy!

Several of our volunteers have left early because of frustrations and problems with immigration. I am sorry that they had such trouble and we are hoping that does not happen to future volunteers. It is hard to live in Africa! After nearly 19 years overseas (14 in Africa) I still struggle.