Motlatsi before and after his Cyst was removed
Motlatsi came to Beautiful Gate in October 2007, already nearly 2 years old. He was HIV+ and suffering from Tuberculosis as well. He had earlier been brought to an HIV/AIDS clinic as he was desperately ill. It was discovered he was an orphan being cared for by his 14 year old sister, who was also attending school.
Because of these circumstances Motlatsi was not regularly receiving his much needed strict regiment of Anti Retroviral drugs (ARV’s) and as a result was deteriorating rapidly. He was brought to Beautiful Gate in very poor health with very little “life” in his eyes and he was a very frightened little boy. He would often not even have the energy to sit up and initially spent hours lying quietly in his crib whilst his peers at Beautiful Gate were running around laughing and playing. He could hardly eat and often whimpered in pain as the TB and HIV attacked his little body. It was very difficult to see a child suffering like this, but we know it’s exactly for children like this that God called us to open Beautiful Gate.
As a result of the TB, Motlatsi had developed a large growth on his neck which caused him much discomfort. It was decided to remove the growth and find a combination medication for is TB and HIV condition. In June 2008 the growth was surgically removed and Motlatsi has responded incredibly well to his medication and the love, patience and care of staff at Beautiful Gate. He is a very happy little boy and despite being on a strict and powerful cocktail of ARV treatment, now runs around and joins in with his friends at the play group at Beautiful Gate. He loves nothing better than to run into the arms of a staff member and be picked up and hugged.
His future is uncertain as authorities need to decide where best to place him, but until that day comes, we continue to nurture and care for Motlatsi, showing Him the love and comfort that we believe Jesus would show him. It is an honor for us to provide this environment for him, along with the other 35 children in residence at Beautiful Gate. Our command to “let the little children come unto Him, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven” is a privileged and joyful task, which we try to do in a way that would be glorifying and pleasing to Father God.
