Clementina Needs Help

Our family has been contacted with news that both Clementina and her young baby have been hospitalized sometime last week. Apparently Clementina has some growth or tumor on her uterus which is causing vast amounts of pain and needs to be removed urgently. Last reports said that she was in the hospital in excrutiating pain, yelling and screaming and crying for her baby who apparently is very sick with Malaria.

It has proved difficult for us to get all the information we need about Clementina and her case, but we do know that she needs care now and that the hospital will not operate until they are paid to do so. Without medical insurance (which Clementina does not have) the surgeons will not move forward with treatment. We are trying desperately to obtain doctors numbers and emails so that I can communicate directly with them about her needs and prognosis should the operation go smoothly. They need 1,20o USD to get this woman medical care and home again to her family, not to mention the fact that Clementina's landlord is now coming forward asking for the four months back rent she has not been able to meet due to her physical condition deteriorating. Rent is $50 a month, so I need to get them $200 for rent alone if I do not want the kids to lose their house at this moment in time.

I cannot really explain the feelings of unease and worry that I have been sitting with over the past few days as I have learned about this (I should include Ariah and others as well who have grown to love Clementina and her family and are very dedicated to them- I know that many people are sick about this, frustrated with the lack of information and also the feelings of helplessness and worry for Clementina's life). As a privileged American and a woman who showed up at a random moment and saved the family one time already, it is me who is being looked to to again move mountains. It is likely that the only hope of this problem being remedied lies in my hands and the hands that surround us. That is a heavy weight to carry at times like these, and I have had to think long and hard about what it means to have someone's life in your own hands... and those of her 5 children as well. They need their mama home and well. Without her, they are orphans too, maybe not with such a bright future as Pacifique has.

Where you come in... I am sure we can get the money wired over there in time for Clementina, but Scott and I don't have it yet. We need to fund raise it. We have some of the funds already, almost half maybe combined with efforts of some friends in the Bahamas who have come to know and love Clementina and her children too. Our goal is to wire funds obviously as soon as we have all the information, but we need the funds! Please please please, there is a donate button under the header of this page, please use it if you are so inclined to do something for this family this holiday time.

You may contact me as well privately at jayasun@vermontel.net or jsholliman@gmail.com.

I will keep you posted... I am feeling so responsible for this family and their future, and having the participation of others monetarily and otherwise meets my desire for help and care and brings such relief. Who knew that on the anniversary of the day our son was found, St. Nicholas day, we would be deciding the fate of a mother and her kiddos too.

Be blessed,
Jaya and family, Clementine's included