LOVE IS LOVE- That's All!

Only minutes ago, a very tiny 3 mo. old baby boy was in my home with his sister and their grandmother. Do you recall in the Blog entitled“A Call to save babies in distress” the telling of the little one whose mother was critically ill with malaria, so I brought him home to feed and bathe and dress but most importantly to teach the young sister how to bottle feed her then 5 week old brother? I had chosen June 24th (my sister Theresa’s birthday), as his birth date as no one seemed to recall the exact date, and with the mothers death the next day went any hope of finding out.
I had sent clothes via a fellow worker and had reports that the baby was doing alright, but encouraged them to bring him in for us to see.

Well, today the grandmother, the very loving and protective 11 year old sister “Immaculate” and the sweet little one came to Public Health for immunization and weighing .Now at 3 months of age the baby weighs only 71/2 lbs.. He was screaming in hunger and had no fat at all on his little tiny frame.
Giving an intramuscular injection to such a tiny baby is not physically difficult, as the muscle is certain to be found yet, heartbreakingly difficult, not wanting to hurt the little one . But I did my job and then brought the family to my home for what was very much needed; food and education. My wonderful helper Bernedette bathed the baby as Immaculate looked on, while I boiled the cows milk, with which they feed the child. We powdered and pampered him, then dressed him in one of the “onesies” Bill had sent Michael some nine months ago. Then we put on a warm little knit dress that Carol recently sent from the thrift shop (Remember they cross-dress children until they are about 3 years old, then it’s pretty much skirts for girls and pants for boys)
Anyway he gobbled up the milk, while I, again, instructed the Grandmother and sister on the art of bottle feeding (smile).It was hard for me to let that baby go, knowing that the Grandmother had 5 orphans at home and one of them, this dear 11 year old sister was the primary caregiver to this baby, who needs lots more attention then she is able to give. But (don’t get nervous Janice) , I packed a little care package and sent them on their way with instructions to bring the baby to Outpatient Dept. this Sat. for HIV Testing

That is a whole other story ,as I just found out that the mother was HIV+ and the child had been born at home with no testing and/ or treatment given. .Now we have a whole new issue to deal with, whether this baby or any of the children in the family are positive.
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The endearing photo's is of Immaculate, the baby’s sister carrying him home on her back. She is devoted to her baby brother, but at 11 years is too young for such a responsibility and, of course, has stopped going to school.

The heartbreak of these situations where there are so many AIDS Orphans can at times feel overwhelming, but when I look at the love in Immaculate’s eyes when she looks at her baby brother, I am reminded that the heart has no barriers to age or income;
-------------LOVE IS LOVE —that’s all!