Gina was brought to the clinic by her father. Her mother died when she was a newborn and her dad was feeding her what he could find, which was sugar water. This was not enough for her nutritional needs and she soon developed kwashiorkor (a severe form of malnutrition). She was admitted for inpatient care and cared for by our staff. We learned a few months after she was admitted, that her father died. Many babies under 12 months old with kwashiorkor do not survive. It is just to difficult for their little bodies to recover from. But by the Grace of God, she lived. We began searching for some type of extended family for her to be able to care for her. We could not find anyone that wanted to take her in. A nanny that was working with her said she would care for her. At that time, we did not have a foster care program. The nannies did not mind and so we meet with her extended family and came up with a plan for her to live here in Cazale. That was in 2008.

Since that time, she has been living with her new family. She is now 15 years old and doing great. She has been attending school each year and is currently in the 7th grade. Though she is not first in her class, she is in the top of her class each year. We talked to her this week and asked her how she is doing and what she wanted to share with you for her update. Here is what she had to say: “I am happy to talk to you today. I live with Roseline, who is my mom now. I call her mama. I try my best to do well in school and to make my family happy. At my home, I help out by washing clothes, sweeping the yard and going to the market for my mom. I have many reasons to tell God thank you today: 1. I am alive. 2. Since I can remember I have never been sick. (I know I was when I was born, but since I can remember I have always been healthy, not even a cold) 3. I get to go to school 4. I find food to eat each day. 5. I am able to find water to talk a good bath each day. I want to thank God for these things in my life. I am 15 now am I have several dreams for my life. Once I am finished with school, I would like to go to school to study cosmetology. Once I have work with this and can make money. I want to be a nurse. Then after that, I want to learn to plant gardens and help those in my area with planting. I want you to continue to pray for me and my family. Thank you!”