Little Elijah

Little Elijah

Home visit in Zamtan

We met little Elijah on a home visit with Kafwa, Angela, in Zamtan.  He is 17 months old and obviously at great risk.  He was born prematurely and his mother says she was told he has a lung problem.  Every breath looked like it took every ounce of energy he could muster.  Having no idea what the accurate diagnosis might be, we felt helpless watching the little guy struggle.  Acting on the outside chance that his primary problem might be malnourishment due to lack of energy to eat, I showed the mother how to make oral rehydration solution from sugar, salt, and to spoon feed the baby trying to improve his hydration and energy.  She didn't have enough sugar in the house to make a day's supply so we bought a bag of sugar and sent it back to her.  The memory of little Elijah is haunting....