Help bring Palliative Care to Indonesia's children

Deandra* was just six years old when he first became part of Rachel House. A shy boy with an radiant smile, he quickly captured the hearts of the team. His quiet resilience spoke volumes – an inner strength that defied the immense weight he carried. Year after year, Deandra returned to Rachel House for symptom and pain management, immune-compromised symptom care, monitoring of medication adherence, and psychosocial support. It was a tireless cycle of healing and hope, a rhythm that carried him through the highs and lows of his journey. Though his physical energy diminished with time, his gentle spirit and beautiful heart remained as luminous as the curious child he once was.

By the time he turned eight, Deandra’s world had grown painfully small. Forced to leave school, a decision driven by his declining health, he found himself adrift. Without the chance to learn to read and write fully, he often felt like the world was moving on without him while he remained stuck, a leaf caught in an unrelenting current. As Rachel House’s team watched him grow, they witnessed the gradual transformation of a lively child into a teenager burdened by a lifetime of challenges. His illness left scars both seen and unseen—aching bones, persistent fatigue, and a pervasive loneliness that lingered long after the pain subsided.

Through it all, Deandra had one constant: his grandmother, Popoh. A steadfast caretaker, Popoh was his anchor, fulfilling the roles of parent and confidante. Though they sometimes disagreed – about what he should eat or when he should rest—Popoh’s love for Deandra was unwavering. Her weathered hands, calloused from years of labor, held him with tenderness, while her familiar voice, steady and soothing, comforted  him in his most vulnerable moments.

But as the years passed, the lines of worry on Popoh’s face deepened. Unspoken fears weighed heavily on her heart. What would become of Deandra when she could no longer care for him? Who would ensure he gets the support he needed to navigate his illness? For Deandra, these fears were both painful and bewildering. He knew his health was fragile and that Popoh, his only family, couldn’t be by his side forever. The thought of facing the world without her left him feeling more isolated than ever, burdened not just by his illness, but by the looming shadow of an uncertain future.

In this darkness, Rachel House became Deandra’s beacon. More than just a careteam, Rachel House provided Deandra with a lifeline -  a sense of stability and connection that illness has stripped away. By bringing compassionate, holistic care directly into Deandra’s home, Rachel House filled the gaps  his condition had left behind. They offered symptom management, comfort and understanding, all free of charge, giving Deandra and Popoh access to care they could never afford on their own.

For Deandra, Rachel House wasn’t just a team—it was his extended family. In their presence, he felt seen, valued and reassured that he was never truly alone. They helped him navigate not just his illness, but also the emotional isolation that came with it. With Rachel House by his side, Deandra found the courage to face his fears. He learned that even in the face of uncertainty, there were people who cared deeply, people who would help him shoulder the weight of this journey.

Deandra’s story is a poignant reminder of how illness isolates – but also of how compassion bridges the divide. Through the unwavering support of Rachel House, Deandra and his Popoh discovered not only the strength to endure but also the connection and hope that every human being deserves.

*Name changed for privacy