Mali: report 2006

June 2006: According to the list made in consultation with the neighbourhood delegates, we have 197 truly orphaned children. Henceforth all new registrations will have to be accompanied by a death certificate or a reference from the neighbourhood delegate where the child lives.

The distribution space at the Townhall has been cleaned and prepared for the rainy season. The children are happy to be able to play in this new 'sand pit'.

For two months the heat has been unbearable (47 - 48 degrees) and there is still no sign of rain. Several newborns who have lost their mothers are brought to us.

The heat and the hot, dusty wind burn the skin. The children are hot and some have a rash. It is necessary to remind the women to make the children drink a lot to maintain their level of hydration.

During the Cuban-Malian scientific day, the Cuban team from Ménaka were rewarded for making real progress particularly in the prenatal field with free caesarians reducing the number of childbirth deaths. Even so there remains a lot to be done as there are still too many deaths due to eclampsia which could be avoided by better monitoring of pregnant women. Sophie has been chosen by Dr Klénon to give the prize to the Cuban team. This is a great honour for her and the AAG.

Whether as a result of the heat or an underlying problem, there is a certain laxity in the nutrition group staff. Sophie becomes angry with them and has to intervene. The absence of managers and heads of service, apparently at a conference in Bamako , doesn't bode well.

Three emaciated babies are admitted to hospital in the course of one morning.

Despite all the difficulties, Sophie retains her morale, strengthened by the good news from Switzerland .

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A Tuareg woman takes care of Rhissa whose mother died of meningitis


Our little twin Alhousseina is growing quickly. In 4 ½ months she has nearly reached the same weight as her brother