Wal is a 23-month-old boy who lives in Ethiopia with his siblings and parents. Wal’s family is from South Sudan and living in the Jewi refugee camp in Gambela, Ethiopia. Both parents do not work and maintain their lives through donations from the UNHCR. They have planted some vegetables in their backyard for their consumption and own five chickens.
Wal was born with a congenital anomaly called bladder exstrophy, where the bladder is abnormally open from the front. The bladder is exposed to air and urine leaks onto his abdomen. As a result, he suffers from pain due to irritation of the bladder, infections, and discomfort from the leak. Wal requires a Mainz Pouch procedure, which involves diverting his urination to the anal opening and creating a pouch bladder from the bowel.
Wal’s mother knew about his condition at birth but he was too young for surgery at that time. Later, they were told they needed to go to the capital city, Addis Ababa for the surgery, but they couldn’t afford the transportation cost. Because of the conflict in the region, there are no buses in the area. Planes are available but the cost to fly is prohibitive. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Through their care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, they were able to support their flights and find a place where the family can stay.
Wal is scheduled for this bladder surgery on June 25th. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,500 to fund his medical care. His family needs your help.
Wal’s mother said, “I hope that he will get the surgery and heal. I want to see him go to school.”

