FACT:While families are living as refugees, there is limited access to health and medical care, including basic cleanliness like a place to wash their hands. Lack of food and disease are common. Many children do not have access to life-saving medicines. Simple illnesses like diarrhea can become life threatening in a refugee camp because of the lack of access to basic health care.
STORY:
Mohammed is four years old and weighs ten pounds. He has no clothes except for his red plaid shirt. He and his mother live in a straw hut. A team member spotted how thin he was and brought him to the clinic. Mohammed is crying because he is in pain everywhere. He is running a fever. The nurses get some sugar solution ready while talking to his mom. Her eyes are weary. Last time the clinic gave her some soy powder, but Mohammed became too weak to take it. Then he wouldn’t even take milk, so she has been giving him water. Those at the clinic tenderly hold Mohammed’s head and drip the sugar water into his mouth, drop by drop. One of the interpreters takes Mohammed and his mother into his home for the night. The interpreter and his wife give Mohammed’s mom a hot meal and get up every two hours during the night to help her feed Mohammed. He then brings them back to the clinic the next day. The clinic gives hope to Mohammed’s mom that he may still live.
REFLECTION:
Look at a map and find Burma. What are your thoughts about Mohammed’s story? Think about how little ten pounds is. That’s how much an average-sized cat weighs. How would it feel not to have food to eat? What would life be like if you had just one shirt? Fortunately, the refugee camps sponsored by Covenant World Relief have clinics to help children like Mohammed who would otherwise never see a doctor or a nurse.
RESPONSE:
Pray for Mohammed and others like him who are sick. Thank God that Mohammed is in a place where he can get help. Explain that we help Mohammed by our prayers and our offering which is used to purchase medicine, food, and clothing.
Weekly, we will be posting the materials from the Kids Helping Kids: Refugee curriculum for your ease on our blog. You can access this project and learn more here. On our website you will find helpful resources for these stories including a powerpoint, prayer cards, and maps. Give to this project here.
