NO Child Should Die If We Know How To Stop It!

Our newest medical case is of a little boy named Lestee and he is 10mos old. As you can see he has a cranial tumor. We will be seeking care for Lestee in the U.S.

NO Child Should Die If We Know How To Stop It!

This is the poster hanging in the ministry of justice and ministry of health here in Liberia. What a statement. One we can all agree on. This week has been a good week working with both Liberian ministry departments and striving to help not only Barvor but others like him who need medical help outside of Liberia due to the lack of resources currently here. This is not an easy process but one worth taking on for this makes all the difference in a child having a normal future.

We start by gathering medical information on the child here in Liberia and getting that information to doctors, hospitals, and families who are willing to advocate for their care there in the states. Once we have secured those resources then it takes funding in Liberia to process the child’s court documents (giving guardianship to a host family and Global for the sake of medical interventions), securing case histories, passports, visas, clearance letters, the expense of obtaining these items, and yes even the escort costs. Global Orphan Outreach runs one of only two such programs in Liberia. Global is allowed only a few “approved” escorts for this program. This process can take anyway from 2 months to 6 months before a child is ready to leave Liberia for their medical help. All children return to Liberia after their state side doctor releases them for travel back to Liberia.

It takes around $800 to process a child’s medical visa which involves all I listed above. And then we still have to partner with other foundations/donors for the airfare for both the child and the escort. We invite you to be a part of this life saving work through your donations to help a child. Your funds truly make all the difference in a life of a child being helped in this program- Liberian Children's Medical Intervention Program.

I want to take a moment to share with you about Naomi. She is 17 yrs old. Her legs became almost paralysis out of the blue about a year ago. She can barely walk. She has had tests but no one knows what is wrong. She does not have polio. They think it might be muscular. Imagine your child not being able to walk all the sudden and no one is able to tell you what is wrong. Her mother has taken her to several hospitals and clinics but they have given her no answers and no hope. She was crying as she shared this information. A doctor at Redemption Hospital who is also a Pastor shared with them that God uses many to help others. He places Compassion in people to come to the aid of others. She must not give up hope.

Global has not been able to find help for children that are older. If there is someone reading this article that has a resource unknown to us, please contact us and share. We would be happy to pass on this help to Naomi and her family.

As the director of Global Orphan Outreach I can get very busy with the details of running the organization and all that it takes. I have been known to say to the coordinators of our various programs and projects that I don’t always have the time to spend with various people in Liberia due to the many meetings I need to go to or people I need to see and etc… I miss just sitting down and getting to know more people. Building relationships is very important to what we all do with Global. It’s interesting how God works things out sometimes.

On the way to Liberia, I accidently broke my glasses. I have had to wear glasses since I was 6yrs old and can’t see much without them. That left me only my prescription sunglasses to wear. Not good at night especially and it has been a challenge when sitting in meetings in buildings with government officials and not being able to see my notes or take notes well. I am feeling very handicapped this week! :0)

Wouldn’t you know then that the very child I am escorting back to the states for surgery is going blind and can’t see too well at all right now either? His name is Barvor. He has been staying with me at my hotel room since Wednesday. So basically it is almost like the blind leading the blind and I am not sure if he has the lead or I. (lol) I think Barvor might be thinking-welcome to my world.

It is a very good reminder that each child we serve here has needs that vary and they are all precious. The relationships we take time to build are usually with adults but the children who benefit from those relationships teaches us the most.