Help Children Reach Hospital

Sandi was referred to Rachel House by his doctor who was worried about his deteriorating conditions, and also the family’s ability to cope with the multiple infections Sandi had from his HIV virus. With the generous support of our donors through this “Reach the Hospital” fund, we have been able to help Sandi and his mother get to the hospital. Sandi’s mother, Ana, shares her story here.

My name is Ana. I am 25 years old and a mother of 2 boys. My husband used to drive angkot in Jakarta, a little minibus that takes people around the neighbourhood area. But he lost his job a few months ago, and has not been able to get another employment since.

I am worried. Life seems to get darker by the day.

My son, Sandi, is very sick. He has been sick since he was born. But since a few months ago, the diarrhea has returned. The nurse from Rachel House asked me to count the frequency; it is at least 15- 20 times a day! My poor son is dwindling fast. I was so relieved when we were introduced to Rachel House. Now at least I don’t feel alone.

We have lost our home. First our rental home, because Adi, my husband no longer has a daily income. Then, my in-laws threw us out when Sandi started having bad seizures every day. They said he has been possessed by the devil, and did not want us around. Adi had to beg our community leader to allow us to sleep in the mosque. We are grateful that they took pity on us when they saw how frail Sandi was.

Sandi’s doctor told us that Sandi is so sick because of us. I don’t understand. We have the same virus, but we are not breathless like him. He cannot breathe without the oxygen tank. He cannot swallow, so we have to feed him through the tube. They said he has CMV and pneumonia. But my husband and I don’t have this, so how is it possible that he has the same virus as us?

Sandi has 4 different doctors caring for him now. Each wants to see him at least once every fortnight. This means we have to go back to the hospital at least twice a week! Each trip would cost us at least 4 times my husband’s daily income. That’s when he was working.

I cannot even begin to imagine what our lives would have been like without Rachel House. They help Sandi get to the hospital, and made certain that we have money to get ourselves a meal when we are there. I cannot thank Allah enough for this blessing.

In the last few weeks, I praise Allah that the seizures have stopped. He has even stopped needing the oxygen tank since early this week. I have never thought this would be possible. But the best part about all this is that Sandi has started to laugh again. What a wondrous gift it is for me as a mother. 

I can never thank the Rachel House team enough for bringing light back into our dark and fearsome world.