Under the scorching sun, nurse Dadan and I walk carefully through a busy road in South Jakarta. Today’s visit is promising to be quite challenging for me. Even though as the human resource manager at Rachel House, I have visited many patients with our clinical team, where we are going today is rather unusual. Ari* […]
2004. The boy was born and looked normal like any other babies. Rei, the cute baby boy, was her only source of joy and hope after her first son died when he was just 2 years old and the second was miscarried when he was only 5 weeks. Her husband left her when she was […]
Today is a very special day for Ruli, it is his birthday. Rachel House nurses have been busy preparing for this day; a birthday cake has been specially ordered, along with his favourite food. Even in the midst of this incredibly challenging year, our nurses are determined to create happy memories for Ruli on his […]
In October and November 2020, Rachel House conducted a series of virtual training workshops, as part of the launch of the illustrated handbook entitled “Children Palliative Care: Guidebook for Caregivers”. The handbook and the workshops are both supported by the AVI Community Grant Scheme, with the aim of providing nurses and community health workers with […]
In the middle of the hot sunny day, nurse Ribka walked hurriedly along a small alley in one of the most densely populated areas in Jakarta. Her medical bag slung over her shoulder packed with the tools she needs for her patient today, while on her hand is a bag filled with milk powder and […]
At the tender age of 13, Aisyah* has experienced more trials than most children her age. Aisyah knows she has an illness that makes her different from her friends. To begin with, she has to take medications every single day for the rest of her life. Aisyah is living with a severe immunosuppressed condition that makes […]
For as long as he can remember, Rehan* has always been smaller than other children in his class.He is born with an immunity compromised illness that has plagued him with skin fungus, troubled vision and continued bowel irritation. Both his parents have died from the same disease. His 17-year old stepbrother, who works as […]
By Riswati, Rachel House’s community health worker During this Pandemic, travel restrictions have dramatically changed many of our lives. But for Aldi whose body is ravaged by cancer, and who longs to see his father before time runs out – how do we fulfil his last wish? It takes a village, a beautiful heart and […]
Think back when you were 18, what would have been your dream birthday gift? For Fandi*, who turned 18 last week, all he wanted was food that he could share with his neighbours. No cake or gift was necessary. Fandi was an active, and self-confessed “naughty” boy, until he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma – an […]
The sun was peaking when we arrived. Amongst the sounds of a busy settlement, was one of a child’s glee. The little guy was in his school uniform, red and white. Even from a distance, I was drawn to his big smile and twinkling eyes. I would not have guessed that he had any care […]