Rachel, aged 2, was identified as HIV+ at the TTF Clinic in late 2016 and was at risk of TB. Weighing only 7.1kgs (15lbs), our counselor, Mwenda, was concerned about malnutrition and wanted to include Rachel on the list of patients who would benefit from our nutrition program. As with all of the patients we are considering supporting with nutrition the team usually sit with the family or undertake a home visit to assess what the household is like, how many people the individual lives with and what the income for the household is.
As soon as we asked Elina, Rachel's mother, about food for the family she broke down in tears. She admitted that there was no food at home, as her husband was bedridden with TB and therefore had lost his job. Elina had never been to school as a child because her family couldn't afford it and therefore had never been able to get a job herself. Rachel's father is unable to work so they pay their rentals (approx $30 per month) through support from other family members. They were totally reliant on her mother in law to provide food and often would survive on only one meal a day.
As soon as we asked Elina, Rachel's mother, about food for the family she broke down in tears. She admitted that there was no food at home, as her husband was bedridden with TB and therefore had lost his job. Elina had never been to school as a child because her family couldn't afford it and therefore had never been able to get a job herself. Rachel's father is unable to work so they pay their rentals (approx $30 per month) through support from other family members. They were totally reliant on her mother in law to provide food and often would survive on only one meal a day.
WITH YOUR DONATIONS RACHEL WAS STARTED ON HIV TREATMENT, TB TREATMENT, ENROLLED ONTO OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM AND GAINED OVER 3.5KGS (8lbs)
Rachel was also diagnosed with TB and without proper nutrition both Rachel and her father would struggle to get better from the TB, relying wholly on Elina to take care of them both. With the simple solution of providing Nutritional support to the family, through weekly food packages, at a cost of around $50 per month, not only were we able to support Rachel in gaining weight and becoming healthy, but also support Rachel's father in getting well and allowing him to go back to work to support his family whilst Elina looks after their daughter.
In only 3 months of nutritional support Rachel (now aged 3) has gained over 2.3kgs, and continues to thrive. It is only with your continued support that we are able to change the lives of families like Rachel's.
In only 3 months of nutritional support Rachel (now aged 3) has gained over 2.3kgs, and continues to thrive. It is only with your continued support that we are able to change the lives of families like Rachel's.
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