Our paths crossed when she was sighted in the Barangay Health Clinic in Babak by one of our friend’s sisters. Then Vicky and Kryss went and saved her from certain death. She was 1,5 years old and weight a full 3kg. Retarded as the mother had meds while she was pregnant, neglected as they never brought her out of the house and still the father thought there was nothing wrong….Our saga started when we helped out to look after her in night. First she could only drink an ounce of milk every hour. Wake up every hour and try to feed her for 30min and sleep again. O my, was that tuff. Many nights we did not sleep till we could let her sleep longer. She was like a little animal as she never got out of the house. Scared for light and always covered her eyes as the light hurt her. Slowly but surely she came by and started to be more human. Till the day she laughs and sits on her own.
Because of all the neglect she could not walk or stand or sit. Slowly and with much struggle she did great with therapy by nurses at a local clinic. Finally she was so normal that we though of her as not disabled. She stayed at our house for the week and weekends she went back home. This little girl taught us all a couple of lessons on how to survive. She was as tough as guts as her live was hanging on a thin treat. I remember the nights Twans was in hospital with her and the doctors did not have hope for her. With Aprillyn and Mary Joy (she also passed away a couple of months ago) we spend several nights together with Mary Joy’s mum in hospital, looking after these precious children of God. Against all odds they survived to become such beautiful children.
Looking back over these years and still her as she was before it was hard to imagine that she will survive for so long under the care of her parents. Our goal was not to take her away from her parents but let them look after her. Did we fail?? Well not as sure as she is not there anymore!! One thing we could see was the difference in the father as he started to love his daughter for whom she was. He was proud of her doing so good.
She was loved by so many although she did not show any emotions. She had a winner smile and we will always be reminded of that. the last time I saw her, I ask the Lord to let her go and sit at His feet as she was suffering so much and now I am so happy that she can be in a place where she is looked upon as nothing and worthless. She is a gem sitting with God and running around with her friend Mary Joy. It is so sad not to have her around anymore and she will be missed. Twans say that she can still feel Aprillyn’s soft skin in her arms. She say that there will be always an empty space inside her heart for Aprillyn.
She quietly passed away on Feb.1 2010, just shy of her 14th birthday. We are looking forward to the day when we can see her again, restored fully and happy. To God be all the Glory for what He have done.
"Children are the ultimate silent majority. Though they make up nearly half of the human family, they bear far more than their share of the world's misery. Society's ills spiral downward and inflict their cruelest blows on our vulnerable little ones. Every day 35,000 of these precious young lives are snuffed out by preventable causes because we lack the heart and courage to fight on their behalf. Every day! Without influence, power or options they suffer silently, their tears and fears known only to God."
Wesley Stafford, Compassion International
Aprillyn Lupogan
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