Meet Murungi, an active six-year-old boy with twin siblings and loving parents. Having just started nursery school, Murungi discovered an interest in building houses. When he grows up, he hopes to build, plaster, and paint a house, much like his father who is a builder.
When Murungi was two years old, his mother noticed a swelling on his belly button. She took him to hospital where she was told her son has an umbilical hernia. This can occur in many infants, where the stomach muscles do not join completely and underlying tissue can bulge out. At the time, the physician stated that there was a chance of the hernia disappearing by age four. However, Murungi is now six years old, and the swelling continues to grow. His symptoms have worsened: “I feel pain every time I eat food.”
If left treated, Murungi may suffer from intestinal obstruction and strangulation. $220 in funds will cover Murungi’s necessary surgery and all recovery measures as provided by Watsi’s medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. A surgeon will make a small incision near his belly button, remove or reposition the tissue, and stitch up the weak opening in his stomach wall. After surgery, Murungi will no longer have abdominal pain.
With our help, Murungi can focus on his school happily, and his mother hopes to see her son healthy soon.