Coming from a village in Kenya, Jecinta is the youngest of 24 siblings. Her mother is the third of three wives, with six biological children of her own. Jecinta’s mother is a housewife who takes care of her children. His father is a pastoralist, who, unfortunately, lost the majority of his livestock to the drought that swept the region dry. The entire family depends on ten acres of land with is not producing well due to the drought.
Jecinta was born in perfect health. Apart from a small bump that never seemed to disappear everything was well. She continued on in that state until she went in for her three months old clinical review. The doctor observed that the bump was abnormal and had grown to a big swelling. Over time, it began to impact her vision.
Jecinta has a frontal encephalocele - a neural tube defect that causes visible, sac-like protrusions of the brain.
Specialized treatment is now required, but Jecinta’s parents cannot afford the cost. Her father sold one of his cows but they are not able to raise the rest of the funds needed.
If not treated, Jecinta may have mental and growth retardation, seizures, uncoordinated movement of voluntary muscles. Encephalocoele repair surgery will allow Jecinta to avoid these long-term consequences and grow up healthy.
“I am now very aged and want to see my children to grow up with nothing affecting them whatsoever,” Jecinta’s father said. “I will appreciate if we can get help for her surgical care.”
