Orphanage medical support project: A Case Study
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Ma Wufa |
Ma Wufa is a boy living in Ma An Shan Orphanage, Anhui Province in China. He was born with very complex heart deformities. Fortunately he receives careful attention in the orphanage and seldom faces life-threatening situations. However, as time passes, the danger increases for him. Without surgery helping to correct his deformities, this little boy would not be able to survive much beyond his teenage years.
Good news came for Ma Wufa came in autumn 2003 from a Ms. Aileen Koger in the US. Aileen is connected to FCC NY, which in recent years has been helping many children in China not only in terms of financial assistance but also through information sharing and, more importantly, keeping these children in their hearts and minds. As their partner in China, Amity was informed that there was an international doctors team working in Wuhan's Asia Heart Hospital providing free heart surgery especially for poor children in need with severe and complicated cases. Through communication with the organizer of this medical team, Aileen successfully managed to get “our children‿ accepted by team. FCC NY was also willing to pay for the children's travel expenses and the provision of a caregiver.
Ma Wufa was put on the list immediately. He arrived in Wuhan on 12th November 2003 after nine hours traveling by car. He was examined immediately after checking in to the hospital. While waiting for surgery the innocent little boy had a great time while his caregivers felt a mixture of anxiety and concern. When news came that the doctors had to cancel some operations that day due a full schedule and lack of vacant beds in ICU, everyone felt that Ma Wufa had been fortunate to have his name down for surgery the next day instead! And, to be sure, the surgery was carried out the next day as planned without any unexpected hitches. Ten days later, Ma Wufa was back home with rosy cheeks!
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Ma Wufa after his operation |
As with so many other children after undergoing corrective surgery for heart deformities, the change in Ma Wufa is astonishing. He still has to undergo further surgery next year to correct another part of his heart problem, but he is already getting much stronger and gaining weight. In June 2004, Wu An An and Zhou Bo from Amity visited the Ma An Shan Orphanage, and they found such an interesting and lovely boy there. He was staring at them with his big black eyes, following them wherever they went, and suddenly disappearing when the call for lunch came. A few minutes later he was seen sitting quietly on a little stool and eating out of a big bowl. The caregiver said that Ma Wufa has had a very good appetite since returning from Wuhan and is gaining weight quickly, something which didn't happen before. He received a checkup half a year after his surgery which revealed that he is making a very good recovery.
With the help of Aileen Koger, Amity is this year again in contact with the medical mission to arrange for Ma Wufa's next surgery.
Ma Wufa is going to celebrate his 3rd birthday in a few months. We wish him all the best, one of the many lucky children receiving love from all around the world.
