GOOD NEWS

Just a quickie to let you know that Pirilani was discharged home today. She looked good. She has made a really amazing recovery. The Malawian women are so strong and so powerful. I long for the day that they realize this, that they realize their true worth. The day they find the confidence and strength not to allow themselves to be treated so badly. That believing in themselves and how much they are worth this begins to reflect in their behaviour.
I took the twins to nursery to weigh them before leaving. They both looked good. Pirilani now has a good supply of breast milk so on my recommendation will only supplement with formula when absolutely necessary. The twins had been with her since the 3rd day.This is against the rules but as she was doing so well I decided to plea her case and it was allowed. I was thrilled to find this morning that each one had not only regained its birth weight but weighed 50g more !! This was surely due to being with the mother all the time. It is well recognized that babies cared for in this way thrive and gain weight much better than when separated from their mothers. (kangaroo care)
I said goodbye to them all giving 500kw ( less than 3 euros ) for their bus fare home and promised to go to their village in 2 weeks time to follow up the babies progress. (they live too far away to return to the hospital )

This week I am working in the nursery with the ill, premature and low birth weight babies. I am happy to be there although it is heart breaking to see the little ones who once again will survive if they are strong or if they are lucky...or if their mother wants them......
We are so close to nature here, as in the animal kingdom, the rule is generally ... survival of the fittest. The weak ones have little chance but maybe, just a few of them, with my care, will have a slightly better chance ??