Jael N., 11

Jael is an 11-year-old girl in Grade 7 who lives in a small rural village with her mother and five younger siblings. As the firstborn, she has taken on significant responsibilities beyond her years, helping her mother with household chores, caring for her siblings, and occasionally assisting with the family’s vegetable business. Her mother earns only about 500 shillings per month - barely enough for one meal a day - yet Jael remains determined to attend school regularly and perform well academically. Despite the challenges, Jael finds small ways to enjoy her childhood, such as reading or borrowing storybooks from school and helping at her mother’s vegetable stall. She dreams of becoming a nurse to help children like herself and support her family. She also hopes to lift her mother out of poverty, build a better home, and ensure her siblings never go hungry. About three weeks ago, Jael began feeling unwell. Initially, she experienced fatigue and weakness after school, which progressed to high, intermittent fever with chills and sweating. Her mother initially thought it was a minor illness, but her condition worsened. Soon, Jael developed stomach pain, frequent diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Her fever intensified, and she became too weak to walk, play, or attend school. Due to lack of funds, Jael did not receive medical care when the symptoms begun, and her condition continued to deteriorate. She became thin, exhausted, and lethargic, with persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Recognizing the danger of the situation, her mother finally brought her for medical attention. Currently, Jael is severely dehydrated, running a high fever, and showing symptoms of both severe malaria and amoebic dysentery. She requires urgent treatment, after being diagnosed with severe malaria and amoebiasis.

Jael was taken to Bulondo Health Centre after developing severe malaria and amoebic dysentery, conditions that made her very weak and dehydrated. Because her family could not afford treatment, Helpster Charity Organization stepped in and supported her to receive free medical care. At the facility, health workers quickly evaluated her and started emergency treatment. She was given antimalarial medicines to clear the malaria parasites from her blood, along with intravenous fluids to correct dehydration. She also received appropriate antibiotics to treat the amoebic dysentery and medication to control fever, vomiting, and stomach pain. Over the next few days, Jael’s condition steadily improved. Her fever reduced, her appetite returned, and the diarrhoea stopped as the infection cleared. By the time she completed treatment, she was stable, stronger, and able to resume her normal daily activities.

Jael’s prognosis is guarded but hopeful, as she is currently severely dehydrated and showing signs of both severe malaria and amoebic dysentery. With prompt and appropriate medical care, including rehydration therapy, antimalarial treatment, and antibiotics for the intestinal infection, most children in her condition respond well to treatment. Currently, she is under medical supervision, and with continuous monitoring, supportive care, and proper nutrition, Jael is expected to gradually regain strength, recover fully, and return to her normal activities