The Ortez Family!

The Ortez family is a new family that is being helped through the Casa Hogar Vida (CHV) program. We met the family on the 22nd of January 2009 through a Doctor at a clinic that helps those infected with the HIV virus. The Doctor was very concerned about the health of the children who live with the family especially a 10 year old called Yasaira who is infected with HIV.

This is Yasaira and some of her family at their house.

We have seen extreme poverty here in Choluteca and some bad cases of neglect but non can compare with what we saw on our arrival. Every child has scabies, and ten have another type of parasite which eats in to the skin leaving sores which ooze puss. The hair of the children was stuck together with the puss even a baby of three months old was covered.

As you can see this baby is covered from head to foot with scabies and parasites.

The house is home for twelve people, the first day we were there the only thing they had to eat was a small iguana. The baby’s bed is an old sack. Everywhere there is dirt and many of the children sleep on a mud floor.

This is the Iguana the family was eating for their dinner.

The bed that the baby sleeps in, which is just a sack.

The children sleep on the mud floor of this house.

On the 23rd January, some of the CHV team returned with some food for the family and creams for the scabies, our concern was that because of the extent of the parasites the root of the problem would need to be addressed, but first we had to take emergency measures.

The Children were in alot of pain and their skin is very badly infected.

On returning from visiting the family, we spoke with Pastor Giovanny who is also a doctor and on the 26th he went to visit the family.
He said that it was one of the worst cases he had seen. Giovanny then carried out a full medical check so he could say what was needed from the pharmacy.

Pastor Giovanny examining the children.

The following day some other people from the team returned to bring the medicines Giovanny prescribed and also fresh water, bleach and soap to bath regularly. The bathing of the children begun, also a change of clothing has been provided and the family are to receive water on a regular basis. The aim is to now monitor progress if any, and evaluate the next steps that need to be taken. We would really appreciate your prayers and other way you feel God is prompting you to help.

Clean water for the family so they can clean themselves and use the medicine to get rid of the scabies.