The Danger of Untreated Strep Throat

CBN.com In the shadow of a dormant volcano in El Salvador, there are pockets of poverty you can’t imagine. There are families living on next to nothing. So what happens when a child in one of these families becomes seriously ill? It creates a situation filled with fear and frustration.

Guadalupe faced such a crisis. She was caring as best she could for her 8-year-old daughter Sandra who suffered with a bad case of bronchitis and strep throat.

“My throat and neck really hurt, and it felt real tight in my chest,” Sandra says. “There was an awful pain every time I ate.”

Days earlier, Sandra’s dad had taken her on a 3 - 4 hour journey to the nearest clinic. But the clinic didn’t have even a basic antibiotic to give to Sandra and they told the family they would have to buy it.

“In total, to pay for the bus and the two prescriptions it would be about $15 dollars,” Delmi says.

I only earn about $6 a day, and my husband earns about the same — when he can find work.

Sandra’s family lives with 13 others in this small 12 by 12 foot room made of tin. Guadalupe works at a small restaurant preparing food, serving, and cleaning. Husband Mauricio works part-time as a welder. Both dream of starting their own small businesses. Sandra’s illness was just one more setback, until an Operation Blessing medical clinic came to their community.

“What a blessing,” Delmi says. “We received free medicine and we didn’t miss any work.”

“I tell you the truth… it was great,” Mauricio says. “A lot of people come, there were people from everywhere. In the afternoon many more came, probably one hundred more, and the medical team stayed until everyone was helped.”

The next day, Sandra was up and about playing with her brother, sister, and cousins — feeling better than she had in a week.

“I felt much better after they gave me the medicine,” Sandra says.

Looking around the compound, it became clear that the family needed more than the emergency medical treatments. They needed a more steady income in case their family gets sick again.

Using CBN’s resources, OB presented Mauricio with a new welding machine and Delmi with a new grill for making tortillas. It’s a very small investment that will let Delmi quit her job, and allow them to make enough to support their family.

“This is the most important tool of my trade. Without it, I can’t work,” Mauricio says as he admires his welding machine. “Now, I can have my own business.”

“Thank God. I’m going to start making tortillas to sell,” Delmi says. “And I was also able to pick up some new bicycles and a baby doll for Sandra and her brother and sister – and the other children at the house.”

“Thank you and thanks to God because He put in your heart to help us,” Mauricio says.

Thank you CBN Partners. You’ve given Sandra and her family a chance for a better life and have shown her a very tangible expression of God’s love. When you partner with CBN, you bring a message of hope and love to those in need – providing medical care, food, water, clothing, and so much more, all in the name of Jesus. Please join with us today.