This change story is about Ishmeal Bangura, a beneficiary of the Victoria Healthcare Foundation project. Ishmeal Bangura is a 10 yrs. old boy who lives with his extended family which includes his mother and two other stepmothers, his father with his 10 other siblings in Makambo community, Bombali Shebora chiefdom, Makeni, Tonkolili district. He is currently attending Soma Community Primary School, and he is in prep 2.
Challenge
According to the beneficiary of the project, ISHMEAL Bangura had serious health challenges with his stomach, seven years ago he mistakenly consumed caustic soda which affected his internal organs more especially his throat and his intestines. His parents were able to rush with him to the hospital at emergency, Freetown. Due to the serious financial challenges at home to facilitate their movement to Freetown for medical, they became stuck in the provinces with no proper care for his condition. His condition became so terrible that whatever he drinks or eats is been released through the opening he had through the surgical process. He was unable to eat or drink because he had difficulties taking in any solid or liquid food.
Ishmeal’s parents were also unable to provide him with his basic needs especially daily food and medical care because of their poor financial crisis, the mother is a stay-at-home parent, while the father is an old crippled man who can no longer work to feed his family. His (Ishmael) health was drastically reduced because the nutrients he was supposed to take which would help in regaining total health were absent.
Intervention
With the support from Victoria Healthcare Foundation, Ishmael was able to be taken to the hospital for further investigations. His transportation feeding and any other medical charges were been paid by the foundation. He undergoes a full medical procedure which helps the openings on his stomach to be closed. The foundation was able to raise some funds for Ishmael which was given to the parents as livelihood support which she has been using to sell wrappers (African clothes) within their communities. Basic food items like rice, Maggie, palm oil, cereals, milk, eggs, spaghetti, sugar, etc. were provided to the family for his feeding to be able to provide him with the required nutrients to support his recovery process. The family was also taught how to take proper care of his hygiene and how to administer his drugs to him on a regular and timely manner which helped him to recover Fastly. Ishmeal’s mother has also been a supportive system now in the family, with the support of VHF she has been able to take up the responsibility of the home by providing the necessities of her family which also includes daily meals, medical, and adequate educational support to her children including mentoring and coaching his children. She has also been checking on her children’s academic activities in and out of school.
Ishmeal’s parents expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Victoria Healthcare Foundation and its donors for the support they have been receiving from the foundation.
Result:
Ishmael has been able to continue with his medical treatment.
The other siblings (brothers and sisters) have been able to survive because of Ishmael.
The health and nutritional status of family members has Improved.
The family has been able to attain a sustainable livelihood from their small-scale business.
Recommendation/Action Point:
VHF continues to support Ishmael in regaining his health.
Monthly follow-up on Ishmael to monitor and know his comprehensive welfare and academic performance.
Good