In
poorer nations throughout the world, intestinal parasites leave thousands children malnourished
and prone to sickness or even death. Young children are especially vulnerable to this
problem. Choose Gift #3 in our Holiday Catalog. You gift can bring relief to children
like Nirmal...
Nirmal’s beautiful brown eyes told a story of pain and discomfort. Her little
hands were covered with raw wounds and scars. She didn’t have the energy of a
healthy child. The Indian girl’s mother was worried, but there wasn’t a
doctor nearby. Even if a doctor might have been available, the family didn’t have
any extra money to pay for medical care.
Nirmal’s family is a part of the Bhil tribe. They live in the remote Bhil village
of Goika. Families eat bread made from maize crops and vegetables cooked with ginger,
chilies and garlic. In times of drought, villages are abandoned and they go to big cities
to find manual labor jobs. Motorized transportation, electricity, clean drinking water,
hospitals and schools are almost nonexistent. Their language, Bhil, has no written form.
This has segregated them from the outside world.
The people living in Goika have experienced terrible malnutrition. Basic health and
hygiene practices were nonexistent. Many of the villagers suffered from scabies, internal
parasites, malaria and typhoid.
Earlier this year a volunteer medical team from OBI India heard about the Bhil people’s
horrible situation and set up a temporary clinic. With great expectations, Nirmal’s
mother brought her daughter to the clinic. A doctor examined Nirmal and determined that
she was suffering from scabies and parasites. Equipped with soothing ointment, an anti-biotic
and vitamins, her mother learned how to care for scabies as well as how to keep the
disease from spreading to others.
Nirmal also took one of two doses of Albendazole. Just two of these small pills, taken six months
apart, will clear a child’s system of parasites! Nirmal’s energy level will increase
because the food’s energy will go to her instead of feeding the internal parasites. A local
paramedic gave Nirmal and 19 other boys and girls their second dose last month.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.
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