Meet Martin, a ten-year-old boy from Kenya. Martin lives with his older brother and his mother, who works as a hairdresser to support the family.
“Martin sits quietly as I speak to him,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “He is calm and gives brief responses to any questions I ask. Martin is in class four and loves athletics. He says that is his passion, one that makes him a victor in his school.”
Martin has an undescended right testicle, which did not drop into the scrotum as is usual in baby boys soon after birth. “Aside from dealing with all the changes taking place in his body physically, Martin has been affected psychologically,” says AMHF. “He has undescended testis and fully aware of it, making him feel different from other boys including his thirteen-year-old brother.”
Without treatment, Martin has a higher risk of developing testicular cancer and a hernia as he grows. He is also at risk of infertility. For $540, Martin will undergo a single orchidopexy to move the testicle to its correct place.
“I have noticed Martin develop a quiet demeanor recently,” shares Martin’s mother. “I am not sure if it is after discovering he is different from his brother or what brought the drastic change. I have no means to fund his surgery, I am so grateful for Watsi’s financial assistance.”