Three-year-old Hekima was born with a protrusion on his lower back, which has a very thin layer and is leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). "As Hekima continued to grow, the leakage stopped and the top layer gradually continued to get thicker. The protrusion is increasing in size as Hekima continues to grow," says his doctor. Hekima was diagnosed with spina bifida, and is at risk of developing further complications in the near future. Hekima lives with his family in Tanzania. "He is a quiet and serious baby boy," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He was born on March 1st, 2013. Hekima is the only child to his parents who separated three months after Hekima was born. Hekima is being raised by his grandmother who is a small scale farmer and a widow. With her own four children to look after, Hekima’s grandma is doing her best caring for Hekima." "For a long time she was concerned about her grandson’s back problem, but due to lack of funds she couldn’t do much," AMHF continues. "Hekima’s mother got a housekeeping job away from her village, which is adding some support to her mother and child, but it is still not enough to cover the cost of operation which Hekima needs. Hekima enjoys playing with cars." For $1,200, we can fund a spina bifida closure procedure for Hekima. After surgery, "Hekima will be out of the risk of getting an open lesion on his lower back and the protrusion will no longer be there," his doctor says. “I pray for my grandson to have good health, get education and later on live an independent life,” says Hekima’s grandmother.