Mali: report 2006

April 2006: Thursday 6 th April, calm has returned to the Townhall courtyard. The women are calm and the children rush to greet our car.

Moghasse, a nine month old orphan Tamachek, who was emaciated on his arrival is now a large, crawling baby. Having regained his liveliness, he is a pleasure to see and encourages us in our struggle.

Three months after her admission to hospital, Alhousseina is unrecognisable (see previous page, March 2006). She has done well and is magnificent. In the picture below, she is in the arms of our assistant Sourghou.

At the hospital the nutrition room is full. Two children have had to be placed in another room.

It is now very hot during the day, 47 degrees. The redecoration of the neonatal room and the nutrition room is complete.

This month there have been many events with difficult repercussions, Sophie faces all the problems with much courage. Her main objective remains the well being of the children, a fact that is not always understood by certain people.

May 2006: The milk distributions continue every Thursday in the courtyard of the Townhall. It is very hot, 48 degrees. Despite the heat, the children are doing well. There are few illnesses and nothing serious.

The rainy season is coming and we need to find somewhere from which to make the distributions while we wait for our centre to be built. Sophie agrees with the Mayor that they will be made at the back of the courtyard which is raised. For a small payment we will have some sand brought from the river to protect us from the mud.

Following the rebel attacks on the military camps of Kidal and Manaka, fear reigns in the North. Gao is under military control day and night and everyone is under orders not to leave the town.

We plan to build a stock of milk and millet because if the situation deteriorates, we risk not being able to restock through the normal channels. In addition, routes will become impassable in a few weeks due to the rains and then milk prices will rise.

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Moghasse and his Grandmother

Alhousseina and Sourghou

Several of the under one year old babies