The incredible survival of four children in the Colombian jungle. 40 days after the crash of their plane, they were found alive on Friday June 9. The latest news of their health is reassuring.
The children aged 13, 9, 5 and 1 are hospitalized in Bogotá, and should stay there for two and three weeks, because after being found emaciated and dehydrated, they are following a renutrition protocol. According to the latest information, they are recovering and speak very little for the moment: they explained that their mother had survived four days before passing away and then they managed on their own.
>> Colombia: the time of reunion with the “miraculous children”, between emotion and skepticism
When the rescuers found them, they had been on a towel on the ground for a few days, near a stream, and regularly filled a small bottle of soda to drink. We also know that they fed on reserves of cassava flour found on the plane, some food dropped by the helicopters, but also roots and fruits that they had identified as edible. These children are indeed part of the indigenous tribe of Uitoto. They were used to living in the jungle.
The children will keep the consequences
The cultural dimension is fundamental to explain so much solidarity between brothers and sistershearts, at that age. It is known that the eldest daughter, aged 13, took care of her siblings. In many traditional societies, at this age, one is already considered an adult, responsible for the youngest. Moreover, traditionally, children are also used to facing hardships collectively, this is called “group carrying”, mutual aid in a tribe or siblings, is part of the education. Finally, we now also know that they heard the messages broadcast by the rescue helicopters, messages which asked them to stay together.
Studies show that children who experience traumatic events, including the youngest, retain psychological traces, explained Hélène Romano, a psychologist specializing in trauma. Even when there are no conscious memories, there can be “sensory flashes”, smells, noises that bring up anxiety.
These children are miraculous, but they also experienced a crash and lost their mother. Psychological support will therefore be necessary. Especially since with such an incredible experience, they are not ready to immediately regain the anonymity and daily life of before the accident.