Mission Malawi: Pothawira, Day 1-2-3

First 3 (actually 2 1/2) days at Pothawira. It is crazy busy. I am seeing mostly kids (they are easier than the adults). Lots of very sick kids with malaria, some wounds, broken bones, and ugly burns. Also lots of coughing / asthma. They often live in mud huts with thatched roofs, where the cooking fires can gather in the house and increase pulmonary problems. If you are not familiar from previous posts about Pothawira, it is a project of an orphanage (128 kids at present), school and outpatient clinic. They hope to soon have a birthing center. It is funded by donations from primarily the US. When you see the photos, hear some of the stories, and see the difficulty in the work, I am praying that some of you may be moved to donate. You can contact me (I don't take your donations but can direct you to the right people), or donate through Global Health Innovations or the Global Orphan project. Be sure to put Pothawira orphanage or clinic in the memo line!

Some of the pictures are graphic, so be warned.

All of the orphans have a story. I am not posting all their photos, but I can tell you that some of the stories -well, MOST of the stories - will make you cry. Little JC (Joseph Chisomo) has a story... arrived a few days after birth (his mom bled to death giving birth in an oxcart 'ambulance' on the way to the district hospital). He stayed in the district hospital for a couple of days, they realized he was probably going to die so they dropped him off at Pothawira. When I first saw him, he weighted 1.9 kg. I thought he was going to die, too. Now he is growing up and so funny! I first saw him in 2013. You can check out previous blogs but I am going to post an early photo of him on this blog. Then the newest additions: three little girls whose Mom died, Dad disappeared and the landlord was taking care of them until she could no longer do that. She took them to the police, they called in the social worker and the kids were dropped off at Pothawira wearing rags. The orphanage has a constant need for money: food, clothing, medical care (they get it free at the clinic, but if they are seriously ill and go to hospital, that is an expense), school fees for the secondary students.

Enjoy the photos and remember the kids in the orphanage in your prayers, as so many have tragic stories. Pray for funding for both the clinic and the orphanage. Thank you!

One of the younger orphans

Emma Maseko with one of the orphans, Mary

2 day old laceration from bike wreck, already looks infected and swollen, unsure if there is an underlying fracture. There is no xray at the clinic.

Me consulting with Patrick, the nurse about the best care for the hand injury

The nurse is Grace, my translator. This little child is 1 year, 2 months and weighs 6 kg (about 12 pounds). We referred them to the malnutrition clinic / outreach at the district hospital. Just hoping they actually go. Last year due to drought and floods, there was much hunger here, this year it is much better, but the little ones have not all recovered!