Joy Through the Pain: Fatu's Story
POSTED ON Dec 05, 2011 / UPDATED ON Dec 08, 2011
Fatu has always had a positive attitude, even through her trials.
Fatu (pictured here in 2006) was burned by a kerosene lantern when she was very young, and lack of medical care caused her left arm to heal fused to her left side.
Six-year-old Fatu recovering in a Freetown hospital in 2006 where she had surgery to restore mobility to her arm.
Today, 10-year-old Fatu has almost full mobility in her arm, and can do her homework and chores with no pain.
Fatu with her sponsor, Ann Saunier (Sarah Saunier's mom), who went to Sierra Leone this year to meet Fatu.
When Fatu was six years old, she was a bright, lively child who loved to make people laugh. But her energy and joy belied the fact that she was constantly in extreme pain. Fatu had been badly burned by a kerosene lamp when she was very young, and years without medical treatment had caused the skin to heal with her upper arm attached to the left side of her body. This caused Fatu a great deal of pain every time she tried to move her arm, and the other children in her village constantly teased Fatu about her injury.
Living in the remote village of Ngolala, Sierra Leone, in 2006, a child with an injury as serious as Fatu's had little chance of getting treatment. Access to even basic medical care was non-existent, and Fatu had gotten to the point where she needed surgery. The nearest hospital was in Freetown—a long and expensive trip her family couldn't afford.
When Children of the Nations (COTN) started partnering with the village of Ngolala in 2006, they began addressing this village's urgent need for medical care. Thanks to generous donations of both supplies and money, today COTN's Banta Medical Clinic provides basic health care for this community and surrounding area.
When COTN came to Ngolala, Fatu was enrolled in the Village Partnership Program, and generous partners chose to sponsor her. Through sponsorship COTN seeks to provide holistic care for children, addressing physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth, so Fatu's physical condition was not overlooked. Even though her case was too serious to be treated at the clinic, COTN began making arrangements for her to have surgery in Freetown.
At six years old, Fatu had never left her village, so a trip to Freetown in itself was an overwhelming experience. Sarah Saunier, who was serving as an education consultant in Sierra Leone at the time, accompanied her, and fondly remembers the wonder and joy Fatu expressed at each new experience, whether it was flushing a toilet for the first time, or the moment she first laid eyes on the ocean. "She always kept us laughing," says Sarah, thinking of Fatu's spirit and charm.
After the surgery, Fatu stayed in Sarah's home, to ensure she got the care she needed to fully heal. Sarah returned to Sierra Leone every summer after that first trip, and loved getting to watch Fatu grow up. "She is still the same goofy girl, although she is growing up so much," says Sarah. Over the years, the two have grown rather close. One year, when Sarah went to say goodbye to Fatu, she told her she loved her. "Fatu just started crying," remembers Sarah. "I realized that no one ever tells her they love her."
Sarah continued to pray for Fatu and her family, especially because Fatu was having trouble getting all the care and encouragement she needed at home. COTN provided Fatu with one meal a day, free education, and health care, but she often didn't get enough food at home, and she had so many chores that she had little time for homework. This year, when Sarah returned to Sierra Leone she found 10-year-old Fatu in a much better situation. Sarah's prayers for Fatu were answered—Fatu's biological aunt moved to the area and took Fatu in. Her aunt is able to provide enough food, and helps Fatu with her homework. Sarah was overjoyed when Fatu came running up to her and announced, "Aunty Sarah! Now I can eat until my belly is full!"
You can provide holistic care for children in need like Fatu. Sponsor a child today!