photo by Ashley George

Malayaka enjoying her 1st birthday party!

MALAYAKA:

When- December 13, 2005

Where- Born in Hospital in Kampala

Why- Homeless and psychotic mother pregnant

Soon after returning to Uganda Robert came to know a woman named Sarah. He was staying in Entebbe {which is 30 kilometers from Kampala} near to a market where he shopped. Robert's interest in Sarah was not that she was homeless or psychotic, but that this homeless and psychotic woman was pregnant. He began inquiring and learned that she had been raped and very near to nine months. Everyday Robert visited Sarah and slowly slowly she began to trust that he was not trying to poison or kill her. He would give her a small amount of money each day for food and water and then they would sit, sometimes in silence but usually in some manner of paranoid-delusional-madness. He gave his phone number to night guards, police, local businesses, and everyone he thought might notice if this crazy woman began delivering a baby. When Robert would ask Sarah about the baby she would either deny that there was a baby, or explain how she was going to kill it.

Robert had organized a plan for Tuesday morning at 8:00am with the Entebbe police, a psychiatric nurse, and Entebbe Hospital’s Medical Superintendent, to help him pick up Sarah and take her to the mental hospital in Kampala so the baby could be delivered safely. However, when he checked on Sarah Monday afternoon the labor pains had already begun.

Robert got Sarah into his truck and they made their way to Milago Hospital in Kampala. Milago is a government hospital, which unfortunately in Uganda means that the standards are very poor. Robert was informed that Sarah wasn't even close to actually having the baby, so they were to wait in the back room until contractions got closer together.

After dozing off, Robert awoke at 4:30 AM, he found Sarah in a pool of blood in the bathroom and began searching frantically for the baby. He found her in a garbage can and immediately sought help from the doctors. Besides some small respitory problems because the fluid wasn't removed fast enough from her nose and mouth, Malayaka was born a healthy little girl! Just hours after she was born Robert signed the official custody papers and became Malayaka’s legal guardian.

Update December 2006: Malayaka celebrated her 1 st birthday as a healthy baby and she is thriving. She stands on her own and can dance and clap her hands! She will surely be walking very soon. She is truly an angel and the princesses of this house.

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photo by Ashley George

Achin November 2006

ACHIN:

When: July 2006

Where: Entebbe

Why: Newborn abandoned at birth

A few short hours after her birth Achin was shoved into a pit latrine where she spent about 10 hours of her life. Shoved is meant to be taken literally, as with pit latrines, there is no way in and no way out. They are about 15 feet deep and equipped with a concrete square and a small hole, intended only for human feces to pass through. Achin was discovered as someone was heading to the latrine to relieve them self. The attention of the community was called, and 10 hours later she was rescued. Maggots continued exiting her body through every orface for the next 12 hrs. The entire left side of her face was severely scraped from the concrete as she was shoved through including her ear and eye. Achin was hospitalized for 5 days and went home to the Malayaka House in order that she may grow and thrive in a safe home.

Update December 2006: Achin is growing stronger every day! She is now 6 months old. She can hold herself up and all the while cooing, smiling and eating plenty. She desires much attention and is therefore blessed by such a large family. The wound on her face has healed leaving scars from her neck to her forehead. Her left eye has been sealed mostly shut through the healing process. As she gets older doctors hope that surgery will be able to restore vision to her eye.

Update March 2007: Achin is scheduled to go to Spain to have surgery on her eye.  Robert has been working incredibly hard getting all the correct paperwork and sponsorship for Achin to go see an eye specialist who will do the surgery for free in Spain .  He has all his paperwork in line and is waiting for her passport.  As long as everything goes as planned Achin will be going to Spain sometime in April 2007. 

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photo by Robert Fleming

Jamie's First day of school!

Jamie (Bobo):

When: December 22, 2005

Where: Road from Entebbe to Kampala

Why: Abandoned

On Thursday, December 22 nd 2005, Robert received a call from a police officer he'd been working with regarding Malayaka. She called concerning an abandoned baby boy who was left in some bushes along the roadside. Can you imagine? Children discovered this little guy when they heard him crying. Robert picked Jamie up at 11:00 PM. Jamie was abandoned with only his baptism card, which said his name and birthdate. He was about 2 1/2 years old and the injuries he were most likely from being abused. Jamie had a broken arm, broken femur, and several deep cuts and burns on his face and body. He was shockingly malnourished with a hugely swollen belly. First thing Friday morning Jamie and Robert visited a pediatrician Robert had met at the hospital where Malayaka was born; she referred him to X-rays, an orthopedic surgeon, and another pediatrician. Jamie weighed less than 5 kilograms {that’s less than 10 pounds}. He’s was a peanut! The pediatrician used a formula to compare him with a healthy child; a healthy kid Jamie’s age should be between 85-100% and Jamie is 42%.

The next morning Robert began giving him all the medicine prescribed: malaria tablets, pills for de-worming {for the stomach}, vitamin supplements, iron supplements, protein powder, antibiotics, and a strict 2/3 hour feeding regimen intended to gradually prepare his stomach for regular food.

Robert was spending all his days moving from doctor to doctor trying to get Jamie the help he needed.

Besides Jamie’s broken arm and leg there seemed to be something wrong with his back. It was rounded and a little crooked. The first Orthopedic Surgeon was convinced Jamie had a genetic bone disease called Osteogenisis Imperfecta. This disease causes bones to be weak and brittle and to break like “egg-shells”. This doctor also wanted to put Jamie in traction for one month to fix the broken femur. Robert disagreed with this man from the beginning and especially after being so convinced about this Osteogenisis disease. So he got more and better X-rays and sought a second opinion. The new Orthopedic Surgeon did not think it’s a genetic disease and he believed that malnutrition will do the same as this disease, making the bones weak and brittle. We were pretty convinced that because of the way the femur is broken {according to the doctor: as if someone held both ends and snapped it over their knee} that abuse is the cause of the fractures. Two different doctors agreed that he was most-likely abused. This was hopeful news, as Robert had been worrying everyday that this incredible little man may never walk.

Update February 2007: Just over a year after Jamie was brought into the Malayaka House is is thriving in so many ways! He spent many months healing his broken bones, burns, and cuts, but just 5 months after he arrived he began walking! Now he understands and speaks both English and Luganda. He also just started going to school, which he loves! He is incredibly smart and loves playing with his brothers and sisters at the Malayaka House. He is incredibly kind and gentle with all that he meets. Everyone that meets him falls immediately in love with this little boy!

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photo by Holly Leon

Viola November 2006

VIOLA:

When: January 2006

Where: Entebbe

Why: Orphaned and abandoned

Viola, a 10-year-old orphaned girl, was abandoned by the people that were taking care of her after a bad Boda Boda (motorcycle) accident. Viola’s foot, ankle and lower leg were caught in the chain of the boda boda and severely wounded. She was taken to the police station after the accident and they called Robert to come see if he could help the girl. Robert agreed to take Viola. Robert carried Viola for the first two weeks she was at the Malayaka House and cleaned her wound multiple times a day so that the infection wouldn’t cause her to loose her foot entirely.

Update December 2006 : Viola is now flourishing. Her injury to her foot, ankle and lower leg has healed completely; she is able to walk, run, and jump. She is currently attending school and making good grades. She comes home to the Malayaka House at 5pm and is a great big sister to the children here, helping to feed and play with them in the evening.

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photo by Ashley George

Maggie December 2006

MAGGIE:

When: January 15, 2006

Where: Entebbe, Uganda

Why: Maggie was abandoned at birth, and then taken in by a former Malayaka House staff member, Nancy.

Maggie and Nancy came to the Malayaka House in mid-January. Nancy was searching for employment in Entebbe, living with friends and relatives and struggling to care for Maggie, and Robert was looking for another worker to assist with my growing family.

Maggie was abandoned at birth. The mother delivered and then disappeared and the father never showed up. Even though Nancy has four kids of her own living in the North with family, still she decided to take on the responsibility of another.

This can be difficult to understand unless one is living in this place. In Uganda, these people are so thoroughly poor that when a child is abandoned and there is no one to takeover—the child dies. Nancy saved Maggie’s life, and now the Malayaka House is doing its best to care for them both. We are grateful and fortunate to have both a part of this new family.

Update December 2006: Fat, delicious, and walking. Maggie is 17 months and the sweetest thing you could ever imagine. She enjoys walking, shouting, and eating everything in her path. Her favorite past time is being tossed through the air. She is brave and fearless. She has lots of brothers that know-no-boundaries, but they’ve learned that Maggie will fight back… especially battles waged over food or toys. Maggie is a powerful and smart little woman, and she’s teaching Malayaka. Already, Malayaka knows how to strike first and furious to the nose of any offender, as well as the effectiveness of loud and abusive verbal assaults.

Maggie is so incredibly determined. She has been trying to walk since March, and was still trying when Robert returned in August 2006. Sshe waited for Robert knowing how happy it would make him to see her walk. Because wow… watching this ambitious little girl succeed on August 17th and take her first five steps across our pink carpet, and the joy of her success is a day we will never forget.

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Photo by Dave Reisman

John, Jimmy, Cheepaco December 2006

TRIPLETS: JOHN, JIMMY, CHEEPACO

When: Mid January 2006

Where: Entebbe

Why: Taken by Child and Family Protection unit of Entebbe

The Child and Family Protection Unit of the Entebbe Police Department contacted Robert about 8 month old triplets: John, Jimmy, and Cheepaco that were being raised in substandard conditions. Their mother is mentally ill and was not always physically present or coherent. Concern began to grow in the community and the Local Council [community leaders] was alerted about the situation. The Local Council took the issue to the police. When the Police telephoned Robert; he was immediately concerned and asked them to keep him posted on the babies’ situation. The following month Robert was called to a meeting that involved the community leaders, the Child and Family Protection Unit, and a local child advocacy group. It was inevitable that the situation had grown fatal. The boys were now in critical condition; each having their own individual strengths and weaknesses, yet all sick with malaria, pneumonia, and malnourished. These local authorities made the decision that John, Jimmy, and Cheepaco were to be removed from their home. Hence, they spent a week in the hospital recovering with Robert until they were strong enough to be brought home to the Malayaka House where their conditions continued to improve.

The Triplets now about 16 months old:

photo by Ashley George

John December 2006

Update December 2006 : John who arrived to the Malayaka house the most sick of the triplets was the first to sit up on his own just a short time after arriving at the house. John loves to eat and has gained a lot of weight. He is now constantly looking for attention as he moves quickly around the house. He is pulling himself up and will soon be walking we are sure.

photo by Ashley George

Jimmy December 2006

Update December 2006 : Jimmy is a dancing machine. With or without music, Jimmy can usually be found bopping around with a big smile. His nickname is Kamalimali and his personality most certainly fulfills the responsibility of having such a name. His laughter can fill a room and his health has been continuously improving since his arrival. Jimmy has mastered waving and saying “bye bye” and more words are sure to be coming soon. Currently, Jimmy is healthy and just like his brother John, will be walking any day.

photo by Ashley George

Cheepaco December 2006

Update December 2006 : Cheepaco is also in good health. He is a happy baby and his favorite pastime is pulling you close for a big smooch. Cheepaco is beginning to speak as well, although its not clear exactly what he is saying yet, we are sure that he will be making sense any day now! He is also a part of the race to see who will be walking first. Stay posted for the results.

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photo by Ashley George

Dan December 2006

DAN:

When- April 2006

Where-Entebbe

Why- abandoned

There are few details known about Dan. He was abandoned with nothing in the woods near to a road in Entebbe. The police estimate that he was there for two nights alone, cold, hungry, and scared. A father was walking with his children when they heard screaming coming from the woods. The father told his children to stay away because it was probably an animal. The children didn’t listen and went to look anyway; it was then that they encountered Dan. He was then brought to the Police who contacted Robert to see if he could take in this child who they estimated to be about 2 years old. Dan was sick with a bad cold and very hungry; He was also extremely traumatized from his time alone in the woods. When he first came to the Malayaka House he was clearly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress; At random, he would seem to be remembering when he was abandoned, and throw himself into fits of screaming and crying. Also upon his arrival, he was walking well, yet unable to speak.

Update December 2006 : Dan has been consistently improving since his arrival to the Malayaka House. He interacts and plays often and well with all of the children. He is a good eater and has grown really strong during his time here. He is also now speaking often in both English and Luganda. We have started a one-hour class time at the Malayaka house and Dan is a great participant and has started to learn new things.

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photo by Ashley George

Julee September 2006

JULEE:

When: September 1, 2006

Where: Entebbe, Uganda

Why: She was abandoned

Unexpected and unannounced the Entebbe Police deliver a child to the house while Robert is out running errands. The police leave no information except that her name is Julee and she’s been abandoned. Robert tries for a week getting in touch with the officer responsible, but she is completely unreachable.

In the meantime we have a traumatized and malnourished young girl needing immediate medical attention. Our guess is that she between 3-4 years old. After two days with this little darling we begin to suspect that she was raped. We took her to an American Doctor who agreed it was rape and referred Robert to a gynecologist. He visited the gynecologist who also agreed and documented his professional opinion.

Update December 2006: If there is one word to describe Julee it is resilient. Just a few weeks after her arrival, Julee can be heard laughing throughout the whole house and she is gaining more strength with each passing day. It is amazing watching the way she interacts with the others; genuinely concerned about their well-being and often found screaming their names in sheer joy! She is also an active participant in our classroom time at Malayaka House. It is inevitable that she will be walking soon and we are all eager for that moment.

photo by Robert Fleming

Julee in the Hospital March 2007

Update March 2007:  At the end February we had noticed that Julee was not doing so well, not being herself.  She was experiencing shortness of breath and just general discomfort.  We took her to the hospital in Kampala where she stayed on Oxygen and other medicine for almost 2 weeks.  The doctors there came to the conclusion that she had a cancerous tumor on her lung that was pushing against her heart.  There was discussion of surgery, but eventually the doctors told Robert that they wouldn't do it because it was too dangerous and they didn't want to be responsible for it.  Robert, frustrated and lost for what to do took the advice of a doctor educated in London working in Kampala to take Julee to Nairobi , Kenya , where the doctors and equipment for children are much better.  Julee survived the 20 hour drive to Nairobi and days of tests there.  After the tests were finished, they confirmed that Julee in fact had Pulmonary Hypertension, not a cancerous tumor.  Pulmonary Hypertension affects how the heart gets blood/oxygen to the lungs.  Julee probably had this since birth and it was now at a very severe stage.  There was nothing they could do except keep her comfortable.  Robert brought Julee back to the Malayaka House so she could die surrounded by her family that loves her.  Only hours after she was able to see her family, she stopped breathing, in her sleep in Robert’s arms. It was on the night of March 10 th 2007.  The last 7.5 months of Julee's life she shared happily with her brothers and sisters at the Malayaka house where she will never be forgotten.

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photo by Robert Fleming

Lucas February 2007

LUCAS

When: February 2007

Where: Entebbe, Uganda

Why: Abandoned

Lucas came to the Malayaka House from the police. He had been abandoned with no information. The police were taking care with him for about a week before they asked Robert if he could come to the Malayaka House as he had no other options. Lucas is about 1 ½ years old and malnourished, but otherwise in good health. He has adjusted very well and gets along great with all of his new brothers and sisters!

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