Mada in the Baby House

About 4 weeks ago we realized Mada needed long-term care here at Hope Village. As much as Don, Annie and I adore him, we knew we couldn’t take care of all our other projects AND give Mada all of the care he needed in our own home.  At 18 months old, he still only weighed about 11 pounds. 

Mada at 18 months old and 11 pounds -- making GREAT progress, 

but still a long way to go!

He was gaining wait, getting stronger, healthier, but still required constant attention, physical therapy for his weak limbs that had yet to crawl or stand, and special food at regular intervals. He was still so needy, and deserved all of the attention he required!

The first item on Mada's menu every morning is Likuni Phala with green maringa powder mixed in. We call it green slop!  Likuni Phala is corn flour porridge, with added vitamins.  Maringa is Mada's miracle food! Each serving of the moringa leaf powder contains 272% of his daily Vitamin A requirement, 42% of his protein, 125% of his calciu, 71% of his iron and 22% of his Vitamin C. It also contains a full complement of minerals and all the amino acids of meat.

With approval from Hope Village directors Paul and Tracy, and using the money from Madalitso's Hope Village sponsors, we hired a 26-year old Malawian woman named Enert, a recent graduate of the Tailor Training course, to live with Mada in the baby house here at Hope Village.  

Enert finds it quite easy to love Mada as her own.

The "baby house" is a small, 3-bedroom home with a kitchen, living room, dining room and nice front porch. Its purpose it to provide a home for village families to stay for short periods as they learn how to care for a baby or sick child ... usually one who has lost its mother and now Hope Village is providing support in the form of formula or medical treatment.

(Baby House picture coming)

Don, Annie and I are still actively involved in Baby Mada's life, though, as we visit him daily and take him every weekend to give Enert a break (and to give us a "Mada fix" that we so desperately crave!). Annie also takes him from Enert every morning so he can enjoy time in the preschool with her.

Mada is passed out on Annie's back after his busy morning at preschool.

Just a little spoiled?

During one of our recent Mada weekends it was about 110 degrees in Chikwawa.

We were lucky enough to sneak off to the lodge 30 minutes away to cool off in a pool.