The following case story comes from Liangshan Yi-minority Children Community Health Project which is supported by BAXTER International Foundation. The project improves children's health through better nutrition and timely referrals for children with other health complications for treatment. Through various trainings and village actions we also build the local community's understanding and awareness of health, nutrition, and hygiene.

By  Area Leader ( JI Mu Wu Jia Mu)

On April 18, in order to inform 50 families of Matuo village to prepare for the next day's health check for their children, I conducted a door to door visit. In the evening, I arrived at one family and called the name of the head of household for several times referring to the registration list I had in my hand, but no one answered. I waited patiently for a while, but still no one came out. Just as I was preparing to leave, the door slowly squeaked open, a face of a short skinny man of around 35 years of age wearing glasses showed up. I immediately introduced myself and explained to him the content of the health check activity our project was carrying out and its advantages. He listened carefully and later he even invited me to come inside his house. I was also wishing to learn more about this family, so I did not refuse.

It was a small house with two rooms. In the room nearby the door, there was an old desk which looked like those commonly used in school, a rusty rice cooker, an electric stove and a water bucket on the desk. This room was the room where the family usually did their cooking. In another back room, a silent woman was sitting on the bed carrying an angel-faced girl in her arms. The little girl was a beneficiary of our project. I took a seat next to the man and he started telling me his story. He said he had just moved to the village recently, and his right leg had been injured in a car accident at the age of 20, he now had to rely on crutches. His wife is mentally retarded, she seldom goes out but stays at home every day. She seldom talks. Fortunately, their little daughter is healthy. Sitting in the low-roofed and dark living room while listening to the man talking about his life miseries in a very low voice, and watching his unmoving wife who did not even raise her eyelid at all from the moment I came in, I suddenly could not hold my tears.

A child who grows in such a family is very likely to lack necessary care and attention. However, this child was trying hard to survive, growing up without any choice. A thought came into my mind that if such a child could get more care from outside, it would mean a lot to this child. I was in deep thought and wiping tears at the same time. The man noticed my unusual behavior, and he was embarrassed. He insisted that I should leave. On my way out, I looked back and had a glance at the mother and the child, the man said that he was now used to the scene.

Motivation meeting with villagers announcing project activities

Health check in Matuo village

Health check in Hongguang village

This project is funded by Baxter International Foundation.
Content in this article reflects the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the funder.