Sad News

10/22/08

Since our return home from Cape Coast on Monday evening, I couldn’t help but notice that Cassandra (mother of Kosi, Grace, and Jessica) looked… not pregnant anymore. Wednesday morning I watched her as she washed clothes for the children and more and more, my suspicions seemed correct. Finally, after lunch, I asked Sema. She confirmed that indeed Cassandra did deliver her baby, a girl, on Saturday. Due in early December, the baby was over a month premature. The baby did not survive. I’m not sure of the details, whether the baby was stillborn or if there were other complications, or even if Cassandra had gone to a hospital. She may have just delivered here in the village… At least she is alright. Too often, pregnant mothers don’t survive the delivery if there is a complication here. If something had happened to Cassandra, it’s unclear who would care for the children, since Grace and Kosi’s father is in Liberia. My guess would be that Jessica would be sent to live with her paternal grandmother in Ho, along with her 6 year old sister, Essenam. I don’t believe they’re planning a funeral; I’m not sure what they did with the baby if she delivered here in the village.