Mali: report 2006

July 2006: The rains have finally arrived bringing a bit of freshness with them. Although the temperature has dropped by ten degrees, it remains at around 39 - 40 degrees. Several of the children are ill but nothing serious. We are concerned about the return of pools of standing water in which the children play. We warn the women of the risks of their children bathing in these germ-ridden pools.

This month we register seven new babies who have lost their mothers, three of them are emaciated. Abandoned by the hospital staff, Sophie takes them into her care and helps them back to life. Hope is reborn for these infants, the CSCOM (Community Health Centre) of the 8 th neighbourhood takes them over for consultations and care. The roof of the maternity unit needs repairing due to damage caused by the rains.

Our friend Darha comes to our aid and donates the necessary building materials. Thank you Darha.

We are looking for a doctor or nurse, specialist in obstetrics who can help us by offering one or two weeks of training. (Please contact us)

August 2006: Apart from a few rashes due to the humidity, the children are well. The image of malnourished children is just a bad memory, they have all returned to full health and have no lasting after effects. Little Saouda has changed a lot, her skin is smooth and healthy once again thanks to aloe vera and spirulina.

At the hospital eleven new emaciated infants have been admitted. Sophie visits several times a day to check they are receiving adequate care. This situation cannot continue, the lives of the children are at stake.

Sophie, with the agreement of the DRS and the Mayor, continues her work with the CSCOM in the 8 th neighbourhood.

However the renovation work remains vital. We request urgent financial aid from the MAP representative. He gives his agreement and work begins.

To her despair, Sophie discovers many children under the age of ten living in poor families in Bellabougou shantytown are not receiving three meals a day. Under her secure food project she delegates two young soldiers to help them. A micro project is quickly set up and transmitted to PAM. How can it be that with all the humanitarian NGOs operating in this area this problem has been overlooked? What has happened to Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, Oxfam?

For their part, the AAG covers the food, clothing and medical needs of 185 orphans under the age of five without any government help or subsidies. Soon, with the help of the PAM, the AAG hopes to also cover the nutritional needs of 251 children under the age of ten.

May all the generous donors and benefactors be warmly thanked for their support which gives these children the right to a dignified life.

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Elodie is charmed by the lovely babies






Saouda, 14 months