“I hope to become a doctor in the future,” shares 15-year-old Everest, a student living in Tanzania. He is the ninth born in a family of ten, and enjoyed playing football and marathon before a recent accident.
After he completed his primary education, Everest fell while playing football and incurred a fracture on his left femur, explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He was taken to the hospital but, due to a lack of funds for treatment, the fracture was not treated.
Everest’s left knee became very swollen since the accident, and caused him a lot of pain. He went back to the hospital when he was completely unable to walk and “was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which was successfully treated,” explains AMHF. “But, now, Everest cannot walk without crutches because of acquired deformity of the left femur due to the old fracture.”
“Everest needs corrective surgery so that he can walk again,” says AMHF. Unfortunately, his parents’ income as farmers is not enough to support their large family and fund Everest’s medical expenses. $940 will cover the cost of Everest’s treatment - surgery to realign the bones in his leg, as well as casting and post-operative care.
After his operation, Everest will be able to walk again and his risk of developing osteoarthritis will be reduced.
“I will be happy to go back to school,” shares Everest.