Joseph is in the second grade. He is a good student, but his future is threatened by a hernia that could become strangulated.
Joseph’s hernia is inguinal, which means it’s a protrusion of his abdominal cavity contents through his inguinal canal. This kind of hernia is usually asymptomatic, presenting as an uncomfortable bulge, until it starts to strangulate. At that point, it becomes a life-threatening issue in a country like Haiti, where there is little healthcare for people without financial resources.
If Joseph’s hernia strangulates and he doesn’t have access to emergency medical care, it could be fatal. $400 covers the cost of transportation, pre-operative care, and surgery via Living Hope Haiti, and ensures that Joseph’s hernia won’t prevent him from living a normal, healthy life.
*Apologies for the low-quality photo. The Watsi coordinator at LHH is working with limited resources - “Gotta love Haiti,” he says, “and I do!”