Blog Archives

Abubakarr is standing taller

10/15/2018

By Missioner and Occupational Therapist Karen Roeming. Karen was a member of the July 2018 mission team and coached Mercy nurse James how to mold thermoplastic splints for Abubakkar.

Abubakarr is standing taller!

Abubakarr continues to progress and he is standing straighter and taller. He is even gaining some weight. As you might remember, Abubakarr was burned over two thirds of his body in December, 2016. He was brought to Mercy Hospital in March, 2017 where he continues to receive care. After being enrolled in the Child Rescue Centre, Abubakarr and his brothers were all able to return to school in September, 2017. Abubakarr passed his class five tests in June, 2018 and promoted to class six.

Abubakarr has been living at home with his family but still comes to Mercy every other day before or after school for wound care and dressing changes. The wounds on the backs of his legs are healing nicely requiring less care. As his wounds heal, the normal skin is replaced with scar tissue that will continue to shorten and contract limiting the ability to straighten his knees and put his heals down on the ground. This scar is less amenable to stretch as he grows compared to his normal skin.

Abubakarr’s goal is to be able to run and play football again. To help stretch that scar and allow Abubakarr to stand taller, his nurse, James, used a sheet of low temperature thermoplastic material softened in heated water to mold directly to his legs. The plastic cools and holds its shape so Abubakarr can be gently stretching his knees and scars while he is sleeping. This is not the most comfortable way to sleep but Abubakarr is standing taller and having fun playing with his friends during the day.

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CRC expands to Manguama and Pujehun villages

10/12/2018

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The Child Rescue Centre has expanded its vision to serve children and families who live in the villages of Pujehun and Manguama.

Last month, children from these two villages were enrolled in the Child Support Program so they can begin receiving support for their education. Both underdeveloped and politically marginalized, these small villages suffer from extreme poverty, lack of services and inaccessibility.

Manguama is one of the villages served by Mercy Hospital outreach.

CRC Director Mohamed Nabieu spoke to the new vision to expand to the villages. “We are not only to focus on our comfortable zones, but if we want to make meaningful impact, we have to be ready to reach out to the unreached, speak out for the voiceless and help the underprivileged,” he said.

Over several days in September the CRC team visited the newly established operational areas to distribute school supplies. “The children are all set and ready for the new school year,” CRC Case Manager Victor Kanu reported. The CRC staff counseled the parents to support their children’s education by encouraging them to study and take good care of their school supplies.

If you would like to sponsor one of the children from the new village initiative, please click on the link below.

SPONSOR A CHILD

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Mercy Hospital cares for the young and old

10/10/2018

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Jerome is doing much better since being treated at Mercy Hospital.

Five-year-old Jerome was desperately sick when his mother brought him to Mercy suffering from a range of symptoms including severe anemia, high fever, vomiting and coughing. The Mercy staff diagnosed Jerome with malaria and an acute respiratory infection and he was admitted for treatment. After three days of intensive care and a blood transfusion for anemia, Jerome was stable enough to go home.

His mother was so happy to learn that the treatment was entirely free, as the family had no money to pay, and effusively thanked the staff for their kindness and compassion. “I am very grateful for the services given to my son. I want to thank the CHO and nurses that helped him when he was sick.”

65-year old Mamie Moijuel was coughing up blood when her family brought her to Mercy for treatment. Mamie was diagnosed with tuberculoid leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria that is endemic in poor rural areas of Africa. Tuberculoid leprosy is a mild, less severe and less contagious form of leprosy acquired through close contact.

Mamie was put on a regimen of strong antibiotics to treat her illness. The antibiotic treatment took several months, but she now tests negative for TB and her condition has improved markedly. Mamie says, “I thank God for the Mercy staff. They know how to talk to patients nicely and to make you feel better even when you are very sick. They are helping people a lot."