The harsh realities of Nodding Syndrome
I first met Vicki in 2017. She was home alone, locked in her hut. Children with Nodding Syndrome tend to wander, creating inevitable dangers of falling into a swamp and drowning, or into the fire pit while cooking a simple meal. These everyday truths have become their norm.
Nodding Syndrome has a way of affecting the whole family, as the mother may have to walk a great distance to dig in a garden to provide something for the daily meal. This can leave children vulnerable to the elements around them. This is the case with Vicki, the entire village is extremely poor. They are living day to day to provide one meal or less. This is simply the hard reality of their daily lives.
As shared in a previous post, Nodding Syndrome resembles epilepsy. Harsh multiple seizures, with effects that can leave a child with stunted growth, cognitive disorders, deformation of the body, and other life altering issues. All in addition to the dangers of their surrounding environment.
Proper care can be life changing
Previously, we were able to get Vicki into the only Nodding Syndrome residential care facility in Northern Uganda. During that time Vicki began to gain both strength and hope. This was due to the help of a steady diet of food and supplements, proper medications, physical and mental rehabilitation through music therapy, basic schooling, and the love of those around her.
Families also found help as a result of their child being in the program. Family training, hygiene practices, and other practical resources related to income opportunities and livelihood techniques were shared as well. Unfortunately, this facility had to close in 2018 due to financial constraints. This sent the children back into the situation they had come from.
Helping in a tangible way
Over the past several years, we have continued to reach out and work with families and local leaders to see a way forward in finding solutions. This is one of the reasons Journey International was formed, in an effort to join hands with those affected by or passionate about seeing this situation change.
At Journey we believe leading with the love of Jesus in a tangible way is the best beginning we can pursue. We have been able to bring resources over the past several years to help 5 families, but there are believed to be thousands more.
Checking in with Vicki and her mother
On our recent Journey this week, we caught up with Vicki and her mom once again. Because of our generous donors we were able to contribute necessities to help ease the suffering for the moment. While we were visiting, one could clearly see the deep love between Vicki and her mom. It is only that they need someone to come alongside them with a word of encouragement, the love of the Lord, and tangible resources.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
Our prayer is that we are able to continue and increase the families we are reaching. To do what we can to help ease the burden, and find a way forward with the Lord’s leading.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support, we truly cannot do this without you!
We have a goal of bringing our number of supported Nodding Syndrome families from 5 to 10 by the end of 2021. Would you consider joining us in that effort?
