It is a truly joyous occasion when an infant previously rescued by IGF ‘graduates’ from the nutrition program and is ready to go home! At 1 year and 3 months, Baby Ruth has just ‘graduated’ from IGF’s infant nutrition program and is heading back to the village to live with her grandmother!
We first introduced Ruth back in December 2017. Born on 9th December 2017 as a twin, Ruth is now without her twin or her mother. Ruth’s 19 year old mother developed heart problems during pregnancy and was confined to a hospital bed for 2 months. She was discharged and was home in the village for the final month before coming back to the hospital in Kitgum to deliver her twins. One of the babies was stillborn, while Ruth was delivered in a healthy condition.
Baby Ruth’s father had run away and abandoned his pregnant girlfriend, scared of the responsibilities. Ruth’s mother was struggling to breastfeed her in the hospital, her heart condition had not improved, and she was too weak and not producing breastmilk. At 2 weeks old baby Ruth’s weight had dropped to 2.4kg, and her condition was deteriorating.
Baby Ruth was brought to IGF by her paternal grandmother, while her maternal grandmother stayed in the hospital to care for Ruth’s mother. In IGF’s Children’s Medical Centre, Baby Ruth started feeding on formula milk.
Baby Ruth was taken to her mother in the main hospital a number of times to visit in those first few weeks. The mother was weak but her face lit up at the sight of Ruth, and she struggled to sit up and hold her baby girl.
Sadly, Baby Ruth’s mother passed away in hospital on 30th January 2018, when Ruth was only 7 weeks old.
After Ruth’s mother passed away, her paternal grandmother stayed at IGF’s health facility to take care of her granddaughter with the support of IGF. Over 15 months, Ruth received infant formula, nutrition, medical care, bedding, clothing and all necessities from IGF. This was only possible because of the support from generous people in Australia that donated money to provide for her needs. The cost of infant formula alone is approx. $40 per week, which Ruth’s grandmother had no way of affording.
“I am so grateful for what IGF has done for Ruth and my family. Now she is growing into a healthy little girl” – Ruth’s grandmother.
It is occasions like this that we celebrate, when a child previously rescued can now go home with their family. Thank you to everyone that has supported Ruth through donations for infant formula and supplies, and for those that prayed for her and her family.
