March News

Our patients can win awards for being brave and resilient. I once tasted one of the ARV medications and since then I have had one more reason to call these children my hero’s. This is not the kind of stuff children should have to consume, never mind on a daily basis. However, except for the few cry spells and some toddler attempts to fight off the ghastly liquid, they drink it, day after day and they even smile again after swallowing.

However, our children are not the only hero’s. The caregivers here at ThembaCare definitely deserve some medals too! Not only do they manage to get the medicine into those little bodies without too much trauma, they also have some magical ways of getting children to keep on their oxygen masks, stay in bed or go to hospital without too many tears! They keep calm when children spike fevers; change countless nappies and bathe these children in love. They celebrate milestones; clap hands when children finish their meals and cheer when they take their first steps.

This month the hard work of staff-members has once again produced good fruit. One of our children has the opportunity to attend a school equipped to provide to her special needs after her discharge this month. Another one of our children has found a foster together with his younger sibling. We have welcomed two new babies – one with serious malnutrition. Although she has little interest in anything else than being cuddled at the moment, we are looking forward to seeing her pick up weight and develop into the little personality she is meant to be!