Ramya

“Can you please come soon, because most of the children are affected with eye infection, we are worried for them...

“Can you please come soon, because most of the children are affected with eye infection, we are worried for them, we cannot see them suffer” said the Sister in charge of the Orphanage for the HIV children near Hyderabad.

Operation Blessing team immediately rushed to the home with the medical personnel and necessary medicines. We might be aware of the fact that the HIV victims are not supposed to have any sort of infection, as it can lead to serious complications. This eye problem is a small thing but it would produce an itching and the children might as well scratch it, which is not advisable or permitted for these victims, this has to be attended on priority and very carefully too. And so, even though OBI had plans to visit some other place but as a priority the plans were changed and we rushed to the rescue of the little children.  

As the Green Bus entered the campus there was joy on the children’s faces, the Smile on Wheel Mobile Clinic had arrived.  The children came and greeted the team, there were smiles every where but with eyes that were red and it was becoming difficult for them to keep their eyes open for long, their hands would go continuously to scratch the sides of the eyes due to the infection. OB team took all the children into the Bus and in a story form explained to them the care that needs to be taken of their eyes, keeping their hands clean and stopping the spreading of infection.

All the children had their eyes checked where all those affected were administered with anti-biotic eye drops, they were also given Nutritional supplements. The caretakers of the orphanage were also trained in administering the medicines to children at the right time and in proper dosage.

Among the many children who were provided eye treatment was a six year old Ramya. Even though her eyes were infected, I could see those infected eyes pleading for help. When we arrived she was on her bed, but on knowing that a bus with medical facilities had arrived, she jumped out of the bed and rushed towards us. She came to the SMILE/OB bus pleading for comfort for her burning eyes.

Ramya is a six years old beautiful little girl, she was only four years when she was found abandoned on the streets near a railway station. The Sisters of Mother Theresa picked up the child and sent her to the OBI supported Orphanage. Ramya was tested and found HIV positive.

Ramya is among the 19 other children at the orphanage which is a home for the HIV infected. Most of these children were found abandoned at public places or brought to the home by the relatives.

All the children were very happy to receive the medicines as it brought them much relief.

They were very much grateful. The sister in charge said “Thank you Operation Blessing and Smile Foundation for coming to our relief immediately. The children are very happy because you are here”

The OBI team was very encouraged when the little Ramya straining her infected eyes said   “Thank You Operation Blessing, my eyes are now cool, I feel very much relieved”