No Place Like Home…

Beston arrived with us when he was just 2 months old. His mother had sadly passed away and his father, struggling to cope with taking care of 6 other children, as well as running a small farm which was barely providing for his family, was forced to ask for help from the Social Welfare Office.

Within a few weeks of Beston’s arrival it was clear he wasn’t responding as well as we’d have expected to the care he was receiving. We noticed he was ‘floppy’ and didn’t have the muscle strength of other babies his age, plus he had a recurrent cough. It was confirmed by Dr Barzeev, a Paediatrician at the Central Hospital, that Beston had tuberculosis, and he was started straightaway on a course of treatment which he responded well to. As he began to gain weight, we were able to support him with special exercises to help him build up his muscles, and his health continued to improve.

Our programme for helping children with delayed physical development is very comprehensive, starting with the use of a specially designed stool and chair to brace the child in a sitting or standing position, so that they can improve their balance and strengthen their muscles. In time, the child can begin to learn to walk by pushing a special trolley which gives them support.

Beston has made tremendous progress and over the last 2 years he has recovered fully from TB, becoming a healthy and happy toddler, who loves to run about with his friends. Although still a little wobbly on his feet, and slightly slower than others his age, we know he will continue to improve as the months go by… and will soon be running rings around his older brothers and sisters!

Beston now becomes part of our Outreach Programme, and will receive regular visits to monitor his progress and check he is continuing to thrive. Although we will miss Beston dearly, we wish him much love and happiness as he is welcomed back into the arms of his family.