Tsegazeab is a four-year-old child from Ethiopia. His father works as a daily laborer, and his mother braids hair for a living. Despite their hard work, their income is very limited and often not enough to cover daily needs.
Tsegazeab was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications
Tsegazeab’s parents noticed the condition at birth. They visited a health center and learned the condition could be corrected surgically—but at a cost far beyond their means. His father recalls: “When we heard about the financial burden of surgery, we just lost hope.” For a long time, the family did not seek treatment, believing they could never afford it. Tsegazeab’s mother also shared that she had once tried to seek help at a government hospital but had to stop because of the high treatment costs.
Everything changed when a neighbor, who had successfully received surgery at BethanyKids at Myungsung Christian Medical Center (BKMCM), our medical partner’s care center, shared his experience and encouraged the family to seek care through its services. Tsegazeab’s father contacted the program facilitator, who reassured him that help was available and guided him through the process. The organization provided the family with accommodation during their stay, and the hospital team supported them throughout their journey of care. Without this support, the family would not have been able to afford the surgery.
Fortunately, Tsegazeab is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care.
Tsegazeab’s father said, “I hope he will get the surgery and heal. After the surgery, I want to tell about this program to my community so others can benefit from this also.”