How cute is our little ballerina? Goontahn is now walking and running. She's happy and healthy which her family and we are so pleased to see.
We have just provided Goontahn's family with a large fishing net because Janna (Goontahn's Dad) is a skilled fisherman and we're told that at the moment the fish are all schooling around the banks of the Mekong where it is too shallow for the boats, but perfect for nets. Janna is working hard and hopes to catch enough fish to provide for his family as well as to sell some at the markets and make a profit so he can pay off his debt. We have found some land for his family, and in a month's time (when he's paid off the debt) the whole family will move to the new land to begin farming. We'll also provide Janna with transport to get back to the Mekong so he can fish during the season.
Six weeks ago, Baby Goontahn's ribs and chest bones were clearly showing and she was constantly sick. She is so much healthier now, her parents are estatic! They love to show me where the bones used to stick out, but there's no sign of them now!
Her sponsor Ngaire must be over the moon to see such an improvement!
Goontahn is also strong enough to stand now, where as before she was too weak to try. It won't be long before she is walking, running and playing with all the other kids.
Her parents, Janna and Jantoe, are showing a real desire to work hard and get themselves out of the poverty cycle they're stuck in. The last time we helped them financially, they purchased a few small ducklings. These ducklings have now grown and bred and Janna is in charge of a decent size flock of ducks now! These provide food and income for the family. (Just a side note, as a thank you gift, Janna gave us two large healthy ducks for the Heartland staff to enjoy for dinner. We were really touched by his grattitude). Also, Janna and Jantoe are wanting to grow vegetables to provide for their family as well as having enough extra to sell at the market and make more profit. We are so encouraged to see a family from the slum willing to work hard and change their circumstances, we will help them with this venture too.
