I have learned to hope

Monday, August 26, 2013

Despite the heavy rains in the small community of Lossa in Tillaberi Niger, a small crowd has gathered to mark World Breastfeeding Day with World Vision. Mostly present are women, among them is one little girl, with a little baby boy strapped to her back.

“When I wake up in the morning I go and take my shower, I take my brother with me and I bathe him. Sometimes I bathe him first then myself, sometimes I bathe myself first then him,” she says with a typical confused child’s smile.

Naisatou, 8, lives with her family in Lossa. She has a little brother, Ali, 15 months whose body does not do what other children’s bodies do at his age. Ali is completely dependent on those around him to help him around.

“After the bathroom, we have breakfast but I have to help him eat since he cannot eat himself,” she continues with an air of seriousness beyond her years. “I take him out to play with me and when I want to run around, I leave him with my friends,” she finishes.

Femme Relais go door to door, visiting mothers and training them in good health.

Their mother is looking on and listening in on the conversation. “Yes, it is true, he loves to spend time with his sister, even more than anyone else,” she says.  Her name is Halima and she is a Femme Relais with World Vision. This means that she is part of a team of women who go from door to door visiting mothers in their communities to find out how their children aged under 5 are doing health wise. They test children for malnutrition and when a child does not appear well, they quickly refer them to the local Health Center.

“I noticed that when Ali was 6 months he could not sit, he could not even drink or eat and always had to be forced. I knew something was wrong with him,” she says. “He is our only son, so I sometimes feel very sad about his situation. His father too is very sad because this is his son but what we have no money.”

World Vision trains the Femme Relais on the good practice of breastfeeding

As a Femme Relais, Halima is here to show her support for breastfeeding and to encourage other women to do so. She has the exposure and the knowledge to know that breast milk is good because she has worked with World Vision Health and Nutrition Specialists. World Vision is well known in the Community of Lossa for the work we do and the support we provide. The Femme Relais like Halima are well known and respected. World Vision counts on women like her to continue to provide that crucial link between the community members and health providers.

“I have seen that situations can change, children can be sick and then get better. As a femme relais, I have seen that children can be healed. I have decided to always talk to people about my son Ali’s problem. I hope that one day I will find as solution. I have seen mothers and their children get treatement, so even I have that hope,” she says with a lovely smile and an air of confidence.

Having a sick child at home has not stopped Halima from wanting to help other women. Instead, her and her daughter take care of Ali with more love than can be described. They both are sure that if other children can be treated, so can Ali. 

It is a particularly muddy day and the clouds still appear heavy with rain that is yet to fall. Naisatou ties up Ali on her back, as she talks to him. Yacouba the father of this little family is out in the field with all the other men hoping to sow some seeds that will produce food for his family later this year.

Life goes on for this family. Though Ali situation is uncertain, the families hope is clear. Ali will get help one day.