Help bring Palliative Care to Indonesia's children

It has been a family joke - that most people new to the family would mistake Fahmi and his brother as twins. And yet, they are actually  5 years apart. Because of the immunity-compromised illness Fahmi has been battling since birth, his body is relatively small for a boy his age.

Fahmi lives in a household of three, sharing his days with his younger brother and their elderly grandmother, who is the sole provider for the family. To support them, his grandmother earns a modest and unpredictable income working as a laundry laborer.

For a long time, Fahmi’s illness combined with the family’s challenging financial situation cast a heavy shadow over their daily life.

Before receiving care from Rachel House, Fahmi was constantly plagued by persistent diarrhea and recurring fevers. His body was weak, and his energy was limited.

Never one to give up easily, Fahmi would push through his condition to continue going to school, even though he would tire out much faster than his peers. Simply climbing the stairs to reach his classroom on the second floor was enough to leave him completely exhausted.

A Journey To Recovery

The turning point in Fahmi’s life began when Rachel House’s nurses entered their lives.

The journey began with Nurse Zakky who visited weekly, caring not only for Fahmi’s physical wellbeing - managing the symptoms that had prevented him from participating in life as a 13-year old boy; importantly, Nurse Zakky’s presence also helped uplift Fahmi’s family as he began to methodically assess every areas of support Fahmi and his family needed

What made Fahmi’s journey remarkable was his profound sense of responsibility toward his own health.

For a patient managing a vulnerable immunity and chronic condition like Fahmi’s HIV, strict adherence to medication can be a lifelong necessity. While many children require constant pushing and prodding to take their medication, Fahmi understands his condition and genuinely wants to get better.

He became resolutely disciplined, managing his own medication schedules without any pressure from his family.

Reclaiming the Mat

While the climb was long and arduous, Fahmi’s discipline combined with Nurse Zakky’s dedicated presence have yielded incredible results.

Fahmi’s physical condition has vastly improved, and he has transformed into a highly active teenager.

No longer easily fatigued, he has been able to fully immerse himself once again in his greatest passion, Pencak Silat (traditional martial arts in Indonesia).

His strength has returned to the point where he recently represented his school in a regional Pencak Silat competition.

Fighting with sharp skill and newly found stamina, Fahmi fought his way to second place. Standing proudly on the podium with his medal and trophy, Fahmi proved that his spirit was never defined by his illness, but by his determination.

Why Fahmi’s Story Matters

Fahmi’s victory shows that a medical diagnosis doesn't have to define a child's future, when they have a strong network of support.

His journey illustrates how a compassionate team of palliative care nurses can turn physical vulnerability into resilience, allowing a child to just be a kid again.

Sadly, many children from low-income families continue to battle serious illnesses without access to comprehensive care.

Rachel House is dedicated to stepping into these vulnerable households, ensuring that no child is left to struggle through their illness in isolation.

How You Can Help

Your donation directly funds home-based palliative care and medical guidance, giving heavily burdened families the vital resources they need to help their children heal, regain their strength, and thrive.