Goodies and Breast Pumps...

I know, I know, it's only July, but when people come with so many gifts, it feels a little like Christmas. Friends of mine who used to live here sent me an email a few weeks ago  to let me know they were coming and  did I need them to bring anything. Well, I knew I needed a bunch of C batteries for the otoscopes at the hospital and I always 'need' chocolate. Slowly the list grew. I actually forgot what I requested and was thrilled to see the goodies - M&Ms, granola bars (including chocolate chip), chocolate chips, hot chocolate, smoked almonds, baking pans and tortillas. Awesome. And then of course, the peptobismol tablets which are useful here when stomachs can get a bit dodgy, and yes, a breast pump - two actually. 

A breast pump is probably the most bizarre thing I have requested and it might be even more bizarre that I'm pretty excited about it. Do you know why? It means that Kumba can now use a pump to express breast milk in order to feed her 11 day old baby girl who was born with a cleft lip and palate. This will make Kumba's daily life a bit easier and hopefully it means that this little girl will be exclusively breast fed so that she will be strong for surgery in about 6 months time. Kumba is dedicated already and I am happy to be able to make things a little easier for her. It's tough enough in Sierra Leone to be mothering a baby with a deformity so any help is welcome. Thanks Marty for bringing this out for Kumba! Here's to the growth of her little one and more zeal for Kumba.