Meeting basic needs

On Wednesday, Moses and were doing home visits around the village. On one of our last visits, we met a girl who was 5 years old, but looked small enough to be nearly 2 yrs old. (pictures to come) Her grandmother who takes care of her told us that she has been sick with Malaria and the flu and has not been eating. Her face was so small and her body was skin and bones. She was so fragile to touch and very weak. Her black hair was beginning to turn a shade of yellow from malnourishment. She was very weak as well, and her muscles were very stiff from lying in the same position for long periods of time.

This is one of those situations that I had to step back from my mindset of therapy and really determine how to meet the basic needs of these children. Most of the children are very dirty and unclean, dressed in worn and ripped clothing (if clothing at all). This child in particular was very malnourished. In order to help improve their quality of life, we have been delivering some children's clothing and providing some porridge and education on feeding and nutrition. Once the child's basic needs are met, then we can start to look at different activities of daily living and strengthening/mobility exercises.