Lucy was born with HIV

ChinaHeart sometimes serves in relationship with other organisations. This is the nature of the work in China as there are so many tasks, so many needs, that one team alone can't do it all. So as we come to know others we serve and assist in their work, and they in ours.

The leaders of the organisation who "found" Lucy and her mum have become good friends and are well known to us. We are now serving together to bring care to Lucy and her mum. This is Lucy's story...

Lucy is now 8 years old and yes, she was born with HIV. She and her mum were both diagnosed as HIV positive in 2009 when her Mum became very seriously ill and was admitted to hospital with a stroke and overwhelming infections.

Lucy’s dad left when she was born and her Mum now seems to be suffering AIDS related dementia. She is wheel chair bound and although able to answer simple questions is unable to plan or undertake activities of daily living. Lucy, therefore is the main carer for her mother.

Due to community fear regarding HIV they are locked inside all the time. The door can only be opened from outside and only 2 people have a key. One is our co-worker who is paid to visit 2 days a week to teach Lucy. Another is a man “hired” by Lucy’s Uncle to “care for“ Lucy. He occasionally drops some vegetables over but we have seen little of the 900 Yuan a month he is given to care for them.

We also have strong reasons to suspect that he is abusive towards Lucy and her mum. Our main concerns for Lucy are

1. Her education. She has never been able to attend school but in the last few months has shown herself to be a bright little girl and draws and writes beautifully.

2. Her nutrition. Lucy often goes from Monday – Friday without food. We are giving them food and trying to train Lucy how to look after her own needs.

3. Her health. We are now checking her medication compliance and her immune levels are slowly improving.

4. Her comfort. Yesterday I gave her the first bath she has had in 4 months. They have no heating and even though Lucy’s mum denies being cold, Lucy is very cold, (it is now winter and often below zero!).

We would like to help Lucy and her mum more and find a better solution for both of them. Currently her mum is reluctant to move but she may be willing for Lucy to move. She is keen for Lucy to receive an education but this will prove difficult in China for an HIV positive child.

Therefore we are considering a foster family and helping pay for tuition. We would like to put money we receive for Lucy towards rent/foster family support/tuition fees and food. We also, of course plan to continue to support her mother and hope she will be agreeable to our help.

If you would like to donate to help educate Lucy and provide medical aid for her and her mum please click to donate and enter her name in the comments box. All support will make a difference in the life of Lucy and her mum.

 

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