Kenenitu is a young child from Ethiopia. She is a beautiful baby who loves playing with other children. She developed bowel obstruction and an emergency colostomy surgery was done at our medical partner’s care center BKMCM. The condition and care has been challenging for Kenenitu and her mother who has been affected psychologically.
Kenenitu’s mother is a single mom with four children. Her brother stepped in to help raise the children as her husband has left without support. Before giving birth to Kenenitu, her mother used to make injera, an Ethiopian cuisine, for a living. Currently, she is not working. The family received logistical support from an NGO to arrive at the hospital and Kenenitu’s mother is staying at another NGO in Addis Ababa for medical follow-up and accommodation. Due to their financial situation, the family cannot afford the medical bills for Kenenitu’s treatment.
Kenenitu’s mother has struggled emotionally with her daughter’s condition. She said, “I wondered what was going to happen to her. I used to cry a lot and I was not in my normal mental condition. But when I heard that she could be treated, my hope was restored and I felt better.”
Kenenitu was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction.
Kenenitu is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on December 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kenenitu’s procedure and care.
After her recovery, Kenenitu will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future.
Kenenitu’s mother said, “After receiving treatment, I hope she will start making stool… I want to take her to school and educate her.”
