IRENE

Irene is a 10 year old whom we have known for 2 years as she and her mother, Eve and siblings are part of our Nama group we meet with every Sunday afternoon. One Sunday afternoon, we were told that Irene had fallen from a banana tree and broken her arm. Because she lives in the village, she was not brought in to the hospital, but instead was taken to a local “healer” who applied herbs to the arm and wrapped it in a soiled bandage. When we saw her, the bandage was so tight, it was like a tourniquet and her hand was so severely swollen it looked as if it would burst. We took her that Sunday evening to Dr. Boaz, a doctor we have come to trust here in Mityana at a private clinic. When he unwrapped the arm, there were huge blisters on the skin. He was unable to treat the break until the blisters were healed and the swelling reduced. About 10 days later, we brought her back to the doctor for treatment of the severe break. Irene had to have the arm “manipulated” into position; no surgery was done; she wore a cast about 6 weeks. The arm has not healed perfectly, but there is no doubt, she might have lost the arm had she not received better care. Irene has the prettiest smile and dimples you have ever seen, and we love seeing her each Sunday. Her mom was so grateful, she shared cassava stems with us which were planted in our garden at the orphanage.