Provide Care for 30 Vulnerable Children in India

Blossom is continuing its diligent efforts to ensure the nutritional needs of all TB or HIV positive children are being met. Without adequate nutrition, the medications these children have to endure to treat their illnesses will not be effective. Unfortunately, it is all too often those of the lowest economical status that become infected with HIV/AIDS and TB. It becomes impossible for them to get their basic needs met while on their treatment. In particular, protein is greatly needed. In the Virudhunagar district, protein is readily available in the form of milk and eggs if there is sufficient means of purchasing them.

  Blossom’s Outreach Workers are active in all 11 blocks in the Virudhunagar district and there are currently 14 Outreach Workers assigned to the neediest children in these blocks. The Outreach Workers assigned to each area are as follows:

Block                                 Name of Outreach Worker(s)

Rajapalayam                  Kavitha

Watrap                           Jothi

Virudhunagar                  Mathan

Sattur                           Suguna & Ruby

Tiruchuli                        Manohar

Narikudi                         Venkatesan

Sivakasi                         Vetriselvi

Aruppukottai                   Kowsalya & Sundarammal

Vembakottai                    Packiyam

Karipatti                           Valarmathi

Sivakasi                           Vetriselvi

  The Outreach Workers often travel a far distance so they can visit the children in their own homes to ensure their requirements are being met. The Outreach Workers follow up on the children’s medications, ensuring they are being taken as prescribed, answers any questions, as well distributes additional sources of protein for effective treatment. Even more than non-affected children, children suffering from HIV/AIDS or TB need adequate protein, vitamins and minerals as their immune systems are already compromised and they are at risk of serious health consequences.

CASE STUDY:

      Highlighting this is the case of 2 small TB boys with TB, Vignesh and Satheesh. They live in the Sivakasi block and have recently faced some very hard times. In the past few months, their father, who was the sole provider for the family, died due to TB. Their mother is now also affected and remains on DOTS treatment. Due to her poor health, she is unable to work and provide food for her 2 boys. If these young children do not receive adequate nutrition, they are also at a much greater risk of contracting other diseases/illnesses as their immune systems are already weakened due to TB. They need to be able to stay strong and healthy in order to cure them of TB through the DOTS program and not get sick with anything else. Luckily, the local Outreach Worker was alerted to their plight. The boys and their mother now receive milk, eggs and other nutritious foods. They are gaining weight, taking their DOTS medications and their lives are improving thanks to the generosity of those through Global Giving. They have been given the most important gift of all, the gift of hope.

  On behalf of all the TB, HIV/AIDS affected children, our most sincere thanks for all the donations received. There are many more children like Vignesh and Satheesh who are just waiting for some help through this difficult time in their lives. Even a small donation can make a big change in the lives of children afflicted with these devastating diseases. 

Links:

• Blossom trust