“My hope and prayer is to have my son treated so that he can live a normal life,” says the mother of Gift, a two-year-old boy from Kenya.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Gift’s urethral opening is abnormally placed.” This condition, known as hypospadias, is characterized by a urethral opening on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip, and often contributes to other health issues.
AMHF explains, “Gift is at risk of urinary tract infection if not treated. He will also have difficulty learning how to use the toilet because of the abnormal opening on his urethra.”
Gift’s parents have been able to raise a portion of the funds needed to pay for surgery for Gift. “It has not been easy for our family since my husband lost his job,” says Gift’s mother, who works as a hairdresser. Gift’s father, a former salesman, does odd jobs near their home to help support the family.
$655 will allow Gift to undergo surgery to repair the hypospadias. The surgery will extend the length of the urethra so that it will open at the tip of the penis. Funding also pays for 10 days of hospital care after surgery.
“Gift’s treatment will enable him pass urine through the normal opening and reduce the risk of urinary infection,” says AMHF.