Forgotten Plague to Some
'By the beginning of the 19th century, tuberculosis, or "consumption," had killed one in seven of all people that had ever lived. Victims suffered from hacking, bloody coughs, debilitating pain in their lungs, and fatigue.' PBS TB in America, the Forgotten Plague.
It's been 67 years since the last tuberculosis (TB) sanitorium in the US closed it's doors.
In Tanzania, TB still plagues many. It's even more widespread with those living with HIV. 'TB is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Tanzania among adults after malaria and HIV/AIDS.' And though the country has this 66 page document with guidelines for TB infection control in health care facilities, it continues to be a common occurrence. This document mentions that TB has increased 5 fold despite their attempts to better control the spread.
Andrea has been struggling with TB for a long time, making it not just hard to breathe, but also hard to be a provide for his family. When he learned Food for His Children was going to assist families with getting Community Health Fund insurance, he was overjoyed because he will be able to go to clinics outside his village to get the specialized care he needs to treat his illness and he can get back to work, providing for his family's needs.
For just $15, you can provide 1 year of health insurance for a family of 6! Can you cover just one family?
Shameless plug, it's my birthday on September 21. I would like nothing more for my birthday than to learn that health insurance has been provided for every FFHC family!
Andrea wanted to thank you and said, "I am very grateful for the project for caring for the health of our families, especially rural families. God bless you very much because our families will be assured of treatment in the various health facilities around us”.
Those with Latent TB have no symptoms and may never get sick. Symptoms of TB Disease include: a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs), and may also include:
weakness or fatigue
weight loss
no appetite
chills
fever
sweating at night
When you give to Food for His Children, you care for the mind, body and soul. Would you consider a gift of $15, $45 or $150 to provide health insurance for 1-10 families? We need $6000 to cover insurance for all FFHC families this year.
On behalf of Andrea, his wife and children, thank you for offering healing and hope to Andrea and others like him!
"Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other, but show it in action and in truth."
1 John 3:18
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