Neema was born on August 10, 2016 in Tanzania with multiple deformities, including a lesion on her lower back, which was leaking cerebrospinal fluid, and bilateral clubfeet. Neema’s mother knew she was supposed to take her baby to the hospital for treatment, but she had no money to do so and so she stayed with her at home, caring for the wound on her back for a month.
When Neema turned two months, her mother noticed that the size of her head was slowly increasing. She had no way but to ask her neighbors to help her with at least bus fare, so that she could take Neema to the hospital.
Neema’s mother was in great pain when she saw that her baby was born with multiple deformities, and Neema’s father unfortunately left them. Neema’s mother used to work at peoples’ farms growing some onions and was paid at the end of the day, but now she cannot do anything. She relies on her little sister to support her and the baby, but it is not easy for her little sister because she also has her own family.
Neema’s mother desperately needs financial support so that her daughter can receive the right treatment. For $1,200, Neema will undergo surgery at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre where a shunt will help reduce the increased intracranial pressure and prevent Neema from completely losing her eyesight.
“I have been praying to get a baby girl and truly I am blessed with one, but she has so many problems. I just hope she will get better and at least be able to walk later on,” said Neema’s mother.