Saturday, March 26, 2011

Christine's Story Revisited

Remember the story about little 6 month old Christine who suffers from bouts of malaria? (below, under Helpless) Well, if you read it, here’s more of her story. Christine lives in Uganda. Her mother, Rebecca, walks for miles to receive medicine for her baby when she has the money. Often upon arriving the health clinic has run out of the help she needs.
In Uganda, malaria is the major killer of children, causing about 70,000 to 110,000 deaths annually. (Ministry of Health website) It goes on to say that without treatment a child may die within 24 hours. Going untreated, the child can have stunted growth (as in Christine’s case), get brain damage from cerebral malaria or pass away. Without the full dose, the patient can become resistant to treatment.
Insecticide treated mosquito bed nets play an important role in preventing malaria. World Vision has distributed nets to each of their sponsored children. Other organizations do the same. Unfortunately, Rebecca’s children aren’t sponsored by WV, though they do use an old mosquito net.
Pray for those around the world who are facing “helpless” situations like Rebecca. Ask God to reveal the role you can play in helping in some way. Find an organization, such as World Vision, that helps to alleviate poverty, and see how you can get involved.
(www.worldvision.org)

Remember, World Malaria Day is April 25--the goal is to end malaria deaths by 2015. (www.actstoendmalaria.org)

No comments:

Post a Comment