Josephine is a three-year-old preschooler from Kenya. She is the second-born child in her family, whose parents work as casual laborers to sustain their family.
When Josephine was six months old, a nurse at a child welfare clinic noticed a swelling in her umbilical area, and informed the family that Josephine had an umbilical hernia. The family later sought care at a nearby health facility, where surgery was recommended, but they could not afford the cost, so treatment was delayed. Hoping the swelling would recede on its own, they tried using traditional remedies, but the swelling continued to enlarge. Josephine’s father shares that the condition has been causing his daughter much discomfort, frequent illness and repeated hospital visits. These episodes have also made her miss school, impacting her attendance and progress at an important stage of early learning and development.
Recently, Josephine’s father met a former Watsi beneficiary who advised the family to seek care at IcFEM Dreamland Mission Hospital. At the hospital, her diagnosis of umbilical hernia was confirmed, a condition in which abdominal tissue bulges in the belly button area, due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Josephine needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
Our medical partner, IcFEM Dreamland Mission Hospital, is requesting $696 to fund Josephine’s surgery, which has been scheduled for August 14th. Treatment will relieve her discomfort, reduce interruptions from illness and help her return more consistently to play, learning and the everyday experiences of childhood. Now, Josephine’s family needs help to fund this $696 procedure.
Josephine’s mother says: “I am hoping for healing for my daughter.”