South Sudan: How Charles is fighting child mortality
The incredible Charles Agele was the manager of the Martha Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in South Sudan for several years. But he has recently retrained as a nurse, and now he works in the paediatric ward. This is crucial work, as nurses are desperately needed in South Sudan – while the UK has eight nurses per thousand people, South Sudan has less than one nurse per thousand people.
Charles shared this update with us on how he is playing his part in ‘the fight against child and maternal mortality in South Sudan’, with support from people like you.
I had a strong sense of a calling from God to become more involved in treating and caring for patients. So, in 2022, I started studying for a diploma in nursing at the Yei National Health Training Institute. I knew this would be a challenge financially as I have a family, but God provided for us through a kind UK church and I graduated in April.
While I was training, I often volunteered to work in the paediatric ward at Martha PHCC, and now I am working there. The paediatric ward had been closed due to insecurity in 2016, but it has reopened and is busy.
I was recently caring for a two-year-old boy called Joseph with a first-degree burn of his entire chest, abdomen and leg. Joseph’s mother Mary said that she was terrified about the burn and did not know what to do. A neighbour advised her to go to Martha PHCC. He stayed in the paediatric ward for a week, was given fluids, dressings and medication. Mary was so grateful for the care, support and love given in the ward, and is praising God for it.
I am so pleased I have studied nursing. South Sudan desperately needs more nurses so I am pleased to be able to be part of this. I need to be part of the fight against child and maternal mortality in South Sudan. I pray I can continue to learn more in order to treat patients with the best possible care.
This update from Charles will feature in our upcoming annual review, alongside other amazing stories of how the support of people like you is transforming lives in some of the world’s poorest communities.
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Look out for our complete annual review, coming in the next few weeks!