My Sponsor Child From Africa passed away...

JCOSTER · Oct 26, 2010

Today I found out that the 8 year old girl who I have sponsored and who lived in Niger passed away in September. She was 8 years old and died from malaria.

I made sure that she had bed nets every year and a bed so she didn't have to sleep on the dirt. I sponsored her for the passed 4 years, we wrote all the time and sent pictures back and forth. Even though you weren't supposed to send material things I still sent her quite a few things. I knew she got them when she thanked me in a letter.

Along with a letter I received telling me what happened I was sent a new child to sponsor. Oddily enough, her birthday is New Years Day.

I am soooooo sad, she was a beautiful little girl. :angel:

bono_212 · Oct 26, 2010

Oh God, JCoster, I'm so sorry to hear this. :hug:

lauramullen · Oct 26, 2010

I'm sorry JC. :hug:

ryancoke71 · Oct 26, 2010

I'm so sorry to hear this. It is heartbreaking! :hug:

kassandra · Oct 26, 2010

She was so beautiful, so sorry again JC. You have to wonder about that malaria and how they prevent it. I guess they need more that nets...

kafrun · Oct 27, 2010

I'm so sorry, JC. :hug:

I saw the picture of her you posted on FB earlier today and it broke my heart.

Sicy · Oct 27, 2010

That's really incredibly sad. At least you made her life better for the time that she was alive.

JCOSTER · Oct 27, 2010

It really is a bigger problem than I thought. I thought because I sent bed nets she was safe. I guess your really not safe.

Bono is very correct when he talks about Malaria etc. I fully understand and don't understand at the same time. :huh:

RavenBlue · Oct 27, 2010

MrsSpringsteen · Oct 27, 2010

She was such a beautiful little girl

corianderstem · Oct 27, 2010

Jeez, that's heartbreaking.

KristenCaNaDiAn · Oct 27, 2010

So sorry to hear this :hug:

joerags · Oct 27, 2010

I am so, so sorry about this. So young. I have a nephew who is the same age. This is really so sad.
:hug:

Purplereign · Oct 27, 2010

JC, I am so so sorry ~ may your angel child rest in peace :hug:

MsPurrl · Oct 27, 2010

Jeanie, I am so sorry! :hug:

JCOSTER · Oct 27, 2010

Thanks everyone, I just wanted everyone to know that the problem is huge. She had bed nets and still ended up with the disease.

Thanks again. :heart:

juliaguliaxo94 · Oct 27, 2010

I'm so sorry, that's so horrible. :sad:

Children should never have to die. Yet you hear about it everyday over in these third world countries. This should be inspiration for people to try and help out over there.

You inspire me. In an unfair world, you made her life happier.

cathou_u2 · Oct 27, 2010

As previously said, at the very least you've contributed to her happiness for the past years :hug:

My thoughts go to you and her family :heart:

JCOSTER · Oct 28, 2010

Thanks everyone for your kind words, I really needed them.

MissVelvetDress_75 · Oct 28, 2010

I am sorry. Bless her soul and may she rest in peace. She was a beautiful child.

U2fan6313 · Oct 28, 2010

I'm really sorry.

My thoughts are with you and her family. :hug:

anitram · Oct 28, 2010

JCOSTER said:
Thanks everyone, I just wanted everyone to know that the problem is huge. She had bed nets and still ended up with the disease.

Thanks again.

What a terrible story and a gorgeous little girl.

Bed nets only really protect you at night, but remember that it gets dark a lot earlier than that and the mosquitos will start biting in the evening. I just spent a bit of time in Africa this past summer (and was taking anti-malaria pills), and most people I met there have had malaria multiple times.

JCOSTER · Oct 28, 2010

If only she had those pills. I'm having guilt and feel bad I couldn't save a life, her life over there. :doh:

anitram · Oct 28, 2010

JCOSTER said:
If only she had those pills. I'm having guilt and feel bad I couldn't save a life, her life over there.

Oh, no, please don't blame yourself because the locals don't take the pills. They are prohibitively expensive and they have terrible side effects, so you can take them for a short time as a tourist but they're not practical for daily use over many years. People there live with malaria in the way that we live with the flu - it's an accepted way of life, unfortunately. The problem is that there are several types, and one of them is particularly lethal (I can't remember the name).

You were one of the good things about this girl's life, and I bet she was super excited every time she got a letter or package. :heart:

JCOSTER · Oct 29, 2010

^thank you so much. :hug:

bonocomet · Oct 29, 2010

So sorry to hear that JC. So sad.

BVS · Oct 29, 2010

The Sad Punk · Oct 31, 2010

Very sorry to hear it, but don't beat up yourself because of it - I'm sure she was very happy to have you as a sponsor, especially since you took that extra step in making her life more pleasurable.