July 24th

The Baka chief brought a baby called Carlos to the property yesterday. Carlos is 2 but extremely tiny and looks under the age of 1. He isn’t actually a Baka but lives close to them. He had fallen into the fire and burned he foot, leg and his private area severely. It was really awful… they said it happen 4 days ago. Most of his skin was gone and it was absolutely filthy. I helped one of the leaders clean the wounds, the water was steaming of his leg as we put it on. We decided that Jake would take them into town to the clinic there. It’s only 5 miles away but they don’t have the money to pay for the bills and also they don’t speak French so it’s really hard for them (hospitals will not treat anyone here without payment first). So Jake took the boy and mother down and the doctors cut all the dead skin of and cleaned it up, they also put him on a drip. (it cost a total of about $30.00) They wanted to keep the baby over night so we explain that to the mother and thought she understood. But that night she was back here with the baby again, we will take her back today to get the dressing changed. It is amazing how they don’t understand the basics of keeping a wound clean as the mother tried to set the baby down in the dirt. I told she must keep the baby clean, that it is a serious wound. So once again there is a huge need for this clinic that will be providing help and also classes on basic hygiene. Please keep little Carlos in your prayers