SUCCESS STORIES

Mother's Action Changes Son's Fate

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Mali, Western Africa – In Mali, two million children under the age of five suffer with malaria, on average, twice a year. Of those, 100,000 will have a severe attack with neurological complications or will die. The onset of malaria is quick, and decisive action is needed to diagnose and treat the disease. One Malian mother named Aramata recounted the day her son became sick and rigid with a fever.

She was working at her biscuit stand in the market and was summoned to the home of a traditional healer who was caring for her son Sinaly. When she entered through the small door, the elderly woman healer was boiling leaves for a medicinal tea and massaging Sinaly's clenched body, a sight that shocked Aramata.

Just hours before her son seemed healthy and happy. The traditional healer told Aramata that Sinaly's sudden illness was caused by malevolent spirits, and with the help of her special tea, she would be able to ease his convulsions.

"I had this feeling inside that this was not right and I should take my son to the local health center," said Aramata. Even though none of her other children had experienced symptoms such as this, Aramata was familiar with the effects of malaria and suspected her son's stricken posture might be due to the disease.

"Any illness can kill a child, but among us, malaria is the one that kills the most children. It is at the root of so many illnesses," Aramata states grimly. "If a child dies with a stomach ache or a headache, often malaria is at the base of the problem. It is a fatal illness that is very dangerous."

Aramata was reluctant to offend the respected healer by removing the child from her care. But after a few moments of reflection, Aramata told the healer that Sinaly's illness was actually caused by her own failure to give him medicines she had forgotten to purchase at the health center, and that she must rush him there in order to fill the prescriptions. This explanation seemed to appease the healer, and Aramata took her son and quickly left for the health center.

With her son in her arms Aramata raced across the village to the health center. The health agents quickly diagnosed Sinaly's condition as malaria, which required an expensive treatment. Fortunately, Aramata's market business produced enough income to just cover the price of her son's drug therapy.

Aramata was grateful for the close proximity of a health center that is able to provide sufficient care in the case of emergencies such as Sinaly's.

"Everyone has confidence in the health center because of the effectiveness and swiftness with which they treat illnesses," Aramata said. "With the help of God, the health center cures illnesses and gives satisfaction."

Story by Amy Ellis and Susan G. Walters
Photographs by Amy Ellis