After we learnt that she missed her appointment for the check up couple of days ago, we came to see what is going on in her home again.
We found Brenda (the mother) far from her home, just standing on the side of the road.We asked her what she was doing and she said she was fetching water. It didn't seem like it, since she had no jerry cans with her.
I asked where was her baby, and she said back at home with the grandfather.
When i asked her why was she leaving the baby behind, she replied that she has to go to fetch water and also dig in the garden, so she leaves the baby alone on the floor in the mud house.
Inside of me, I was terrified! Baby Juliana needs an intensive care, full of safe environment and proper good feeding. Verily, Brenda was not giving either to her. Unfortunately this was something that I expected.
We thank again to Whisper's supporter Lydia who donated plenty of nappies, clothing and baby food, which we took now to the Whisper home where we are ready to take care of Brena and baby Juliana for couple of months, until baby is out of the dangerous neglect and Brenda is properly trained to take full responsibility for her baby.
After taking baby Juliana to our home, before we put her into her new bed, we bathed her and prepared an infant milk for her. She was so hungry that she drank the whole bottle!! Then she kept crying for more...
Mother Brenda arrived after couple of hours. We instructed our social worker Sam to monitor Brenda breast-feeding her baby properly, without neglecting her by doing other things.
We hope that Brenda's motherhood will start improving since she won't need to worry about digging in the garden all morning and fetching water many times a day. She has to fully concentrate on feeding her malnourished baby who need the most care in the world right now.
We can also make sure that Brenda will never miss her hospital appointment again.
Good timing Veronika, you know best what to do x lucky baby Juliana. Pls tell her mum that she chose a beautiful name. I love that name. It means 'youthful' and its an ancient Roman name, used in many countries in Europe. Not very common, either. Please do tell Brenda (also good name), that she chose a great name which will make her daughter a complete blessing to her if she will cope well with that difficult beginning. Thank you and Bless them both and you too xx
ReplyDeleteThank you much Veronika for sharing this story. Brenda really needs to improve her motherhood skills. Yes, she's still young but surely not too young to know how to care for her baby. You put in so much effort saving baby Juliana's life so its very disappointing that Brenda isn't playing her part. I'm so glad to know that they are now under your care. Baby Juliana is definitely a lot safer and secure under your roof. I will find time to pass by sometime and check on her again.
ReplyDelete