This year we are again supporting The GLOVE Project's child amputee programme

https://www.gloveproject.life/child-amputees

The profit from the Christmas card sale is currently supporting 9 child amputees.

Message from Jackie, The GLOVE Project, The Gambia:

Good evening Magdalena this is Jackie. We are absolutly blown away by your amazing kindness and generosity. Thank you so so much. 

We just can not believe this, I can not believe it and I can confirm immediately what these funds will be spent on, they really could not have come at a better time.

We have 9 children scheduled  for surgery by visiting Drs in less than 2 weeks. 

7 of them have severe, chronic Osteomyelitis in several of their leg bones, some of them in both legs. These surgeries will save their legs and possibly even their lives but it all costs money and as an organisation we have been very concerned about this. They need medications and dressings for going into theatre.

IV medications on the ward.

A lot of high strength pain killers.

On going xrays.

6 of them will be discharged to the project house with external fixations in their legs and will need 24hr care for up to 3 months.

High protien high calorie diets.

Regular outpatient reviews.

Antibiotic treatment for 6 to 10 weeks.

Daily wound care and dressings by a nurse which we have to fund.

So as You can see, a huge amount of expense if these children are going to have any chance, any HOPE for the future. Your amazing donation could not have come at a better time and I could cry with gratitude.

THANKYOU x

ABOUT THE CHILD AMPUTEE PROGRAMME

Here in The Gambia those with disabilities are frequently marginalised, ostracised, socially isolated and many (children) are abandoned. There is no Government assistance and generally the cultural and societal belief is that these people can achieve little more than being street beggar’s.

This is the harsh reality.

The Glove Project's Juvinille Amputee Programme started in February 2019 when they came across 15yr old Dembo. Child Amputees are frequently not at school, being deemed unworthy of the expense of uniform, books, shoes etc in a Country where money is a scarce commodity. Why spend scarce resources on a child  deemed unlikely to become anything other than a street beggar.  These children are frequently neglected and hidden away.

THE PROSTHETICS

Are old and cumbersome, heavy and ugly frequently the children sizes are not available and the team have to cobble things together. Whilst these are free the sockets to fit the stump have to be molded and made to fit the individual and it is these materials which have to be paid for as well as transport to and from the prosthetic centre in Banjul.

HOW THE GLOVE PROJECT DOES THIS

"Spend time visiting the child and care givers at their home, the children are rarely with their mothers and fathers, rather  with extended family, frequently living in abject poverty.

Purchasing the fitting of a prosthetic leg and rehabilitation onto that leg.

Ensuring the child has a place at a school, funding uniform, books and all necessary equipment. At times including school feeding if under nourished which most are.

Purchasing bicycles to promote mobility and social standing. To have a bike is a considerable achievement here and quite a status symbol for a child.

The distances to school are frequently too far to walk on the old prosthetic legs that are available and without a bicycle, attending school would not be an option for most of these children.

Supplying sacks of rice which is the staple food, to the family so as the child is seen to be of some value and to promote improved nutrition.

When donations allow clothes and shoes are given.

We undertake regular home visits to monitor the child and to encourage acceptance and value by the family, promoting love and involvement by the local community.

We find and fund apprenticeships for the older children.

We monitor growth and fund replacement prosthetic fitting as the child outgrows their limbs. New prosthetic limbs are needed approx. every 6 to 9 month depending on growth rate. We monitor for bones growing through the amputation site and arrange and escort for Orthopeadic reviews. This may mean re amputation or trimming of the growing bones is necessary and timely intervention is required along with intensive post operation care."

Text and photos mainly by The GLOVE Project