When Juvenia was in a critical condition, hope arrived in the form of an MAF plane. Come along with us as we make a follow up visit to Juvenia and her family at their home in Same, Timor-Leste.
Story by Lobitos Alves
“If there had been no MAF plane at that time, I don't think Juvenia would have survived,” says Rosalia Soares da Costa, standing in front of her home, next to the place where her daughter was bitten by a snake.
If there had been no MAF plane at that time, I don't think Juvenia would have survived,
A large mango tree stands tall in the front yard of Juvenia da Costa Noronha’s traditional Timorese thatch-roofed home. Its leaves provide shade on a hot, sweaty day like today. And that’s why five-year-old Juvenia was playing under the tree when a venomous snake bit her, five months ago.
Juvenia stands with her parents as they serve fresh guava, rambutan and coconut to their guests. Her father, Octaviano de Araujo Noronha, guides the visitors on a tour around the small farm as hens cluck and scratch for insects, and a rooster crows repeatedly like a watchdog.
MAF pilot and Country Director, Lungpinglak ‘Ping’ Domtta, and Yohanes da Costa Silva, MAF Partnership Development Officer, are visiting Juvenia and her family to follow up after the medevac that linked her to antivenom treatment.
“Our journey isn’t just about transferring them and forgetting about it,” says Ping. “We want to be part of their lives. So, we came back to follow up on how they’re doing and to spend some time with them.”
“We took her to the village clinic,” says Rosalia. “The medics informed us that they did not have antivenom, and that she needed to be transferred to the national hospital because the venom was strong and could threaten her life.”
Juvenia was supposed to travel by ambulance from her home in Same to Dili, a journey that takes four hours along winding and bumpy roads.
“Traveling a long distance on bad roads could have put her life at risk,” says Octaviano. “She might have died on the way to Dili.
“The MAF plane helped us by transporting our daughter for emergency treatment at the national hospital,” he says, speaking of the 25-minute flight.
“I’m very happy to see that she has recovered.”
After being discharged from hospital, Juvenia has fully recovered and is now living happily with her parents and four siblings. She is back attending first-grade classes at Basic School Raifusan, where she enjoys spending time with her friends and playing with toys.
Ping explains the importance of MAF’s medevac services in supporting remote communities, particularly in Same, citing the case of little Juvenia.
“Every minute matters a lot, so I believe our medevac service here makes a difference in people’s lives,” he says.
“It brings a lot of joy to me and our team. I’m also excited to go back and share our experience of seeing the outcome for a girl who was in a critical condition and has since been discharged from the hospital.”
Ping also expresses his gratitude for donors who make it possible for MAF to help people in remote areas.
“Thanks to all who have been supporting us; your contributions provide support and give hope to people in these communities.”