Dalton is a four-year-old boy who lives in Kenya. He lives with his parents and an older sibling in a single-room rental house. He is currently in kindergarten, and is doing well. His mother is a supermarket customer attendant, while his father works as a casual laborer at a construction site. Dalton is living with an umbilical hernia, which causes him significant pain.
A hernia is when an internal organ protrudes through the abdomen wall. Left untreated, a hernia can cause intestinal blockage or prevent blood from reaching vital parts of his intestines. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that Dalton has a bulge on his abdomen that swells intermittently, and is aggravated when he cries. His parents hoped that his hernia would reduce as he grew, but it has not yet resolved and his hernia was confirmed upon X-ray.
Dalton needs surgical intervention to repair his abdominal wall and reposition his herniated tissue. AMHF tells us that with $430, Dalton can have his surgery, including supplies, medications, and two days of inpatient stay. His parents have already contributed $10 towards the surgery, but need additional assistance to completing payment.
Following the surgery, Dalton’s pain will be resolved and his risk to further complications will significantly diminish. “I want the best for Dalton,” shares his mother, “We have only managed to raise Ksh 1,000 ($10 USD) towards his treatment, which I know is very little compared to what is required, but we are hoping for the best.”