Ortez Family: The Importance of the Support Groups

from The Casa Hogar Vida Team:

Friends here is a brief story of a family we are currently helping through the Casa Hogar Vida (CHV) program. For $33.00 per month you can help save children like these.

We met the family on the 22nd January 2009 through a Doctor at a clinic which helps those infected with the HIV virus. The doctor was/is extremely concerned about the health of the children who live in this family especially a 10 year old called Yasaira who is infected with HIV.

We have seen extreme poverty here in Choluteca and some bad cases of neglect but non can compare with what we saw on our arrival. Every child has scabies, and ten have another type of parasite which eats in to the skin leaving sores which ooze pus. The hair of the children was stuck together with the pus even a baby of three months old was covered.

The house is home for twelve people, the first day we were there the only thing they had to eat was a small iguana. The baby’s bed/hammock is an old sack. Everywhere there is dirt and many of the children sleep on a mud floor.

23rd January, some of the CHV team returned with some food for the family and creams for the scabies, our concern was that because of the extent of the parasites the root of the problem would need to be addressed, but first we had to take emergency measures.

On our return we spoke with Pastor Giovanny who is also a doctor and on the 26th he and I (Ian) returned. He like us said that it was one of the worst cases he had seen. Giovanny then carried out a full medical check and told me what I needed to purchase from the pharmacy.

The following day some other people from the team returned to bring the medicines Giovanny prescribed and also fresh water, bleach and soap to bath regularly. The bathing of the children begun, also a change of clothing has been provided and the family are to receive water on a regular basis. The aim is to now monitor progress if any, and evaluate the next steps that need to be taken.

The importance of the Support Groups and the Child sponsorship program are so evident when we find families such as the Ortez family. We would really appreciate your prayers and other way you feel God is prompting you to help.