Column Nicole

In June/July we have 5 had very pleasant weeks in the Netherlands. Unfortunately the weather was not ideal but we had a great time. Lots of hospital and doctor appointments, family visits, school supplies for the girls, visits to the MalawiShop and various fun outings. Teleza had her annual appointment in Leiden. The scans of her heart were not completely correct and that is why she also received a CT scan this time. Certain pressures in her heart are higher than before and that probably explains why she cannot exert herself. When Teleza runs or cycles, she quickly gets out of breath and starts coughing heavily. I am currently still waiting for feedback from the doctors in Leiden about how to proceed with Teleza. The doctor indicated that she does not need surgery, but I did express some concerns, if all goes well, get feedback next week. Diana also had a minor procedure. She had trouble breathing through her nose because it was always swollen and swollen inside. They burned away mucous membranes with very good results. All three girls have also received vaccinations so that they can catch up with the Dutch schedule again. The girls are now going back to school. Diana to the first year of high school, Maria to group 8 and Teleza is the eldest toddler. At the end of July we flew back to Malawi and the girls are always very happy to be back and to see the other children again. The nannies did a great job and the house looked good. All the children were very happy that we were back. The children in the house were now also on holiday and these are quite long days to always spend at home. When we returned, the playhouse was even further damaged by termites, so it was time to demolish it and find a new one.. We had received a donation from an organization in America and a new playhouse was quickly ordered. Delivery and installation will take a little longer, but expectations are high and we are all looking forward to it. In August we had a visit from an American family 6 years ago then 2- birthday boy from our house. They came back to show Malawi to their son and to see the orphanage (now another house). They also wanted to do something for the children and bought us a new trampoline! The old trampoline was in dire need of replacement, the children play on it every day and therefore the trampoline does not always last that long. We currently have 22 children in the house. Just before we came to the Netherlands, a pair of twins had been returned to the village with their parents. The mother is not mentally well and the father could not take care of two babies alone so they were placed in our orphanage for two years. The father wanted the twins to come live with him, so they returned to their home village in June. Unfortunately, things don't seem to be going very well for them. The mother still has many mental complaints and therefore does not help in the care of the twins. The father is very poor and he cannot provide for the twins and income on his own. Youth Care is in consultation with the father about how to proceed. These are difficult stories. We have 2 looked after the girls for years and it is always difficult to see children go, but when you hear that they are not doing well, it is extra difficult. Hopefully youth care will come up with a solution soon. We also had a new girl in the same week. She is approx 1 years old and was found in a sewer at the side of the road. Fortunately, she is healthy and doing very well. She has been with us for more than two months now and no family has been found yet. I continue to find it difficult how parents behave here (healthy) to expose children. Poverty really makes people desperate. I am extremely grateful to everyone who helps to support the Afriana foundation so that we can continue to help the children. These children often really have no one at all when they are found somewhere. The Malawian government has no shelters for foundlings or vulnerable children and is dependent on foundations such as the Afriana Foundation. Through your support we can give these children a new future! Many thanks for that. Kind regards, Nicole