“Looking to a smiling and playful Obed as I settled in to my interview with his guardian, I could not detect the kind of pain that he has undergone in his few years of life,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
“Obed was the last born to his late parents. He has three siblings but lost his sister and parents to a fire that left him and his two brothers physically and mentally scarred for life. Early last year, while the whole family was at home over the weekend, Obed’s older brother realized that their cooking gas cylinder was leaking. He immediately informed his father who was in a different room with his daughter while Obed and his third born brother were playing in the bedroom. Obed’s father went to check on the cylinder and as his tried to tighten the top, the cylinder exploded,” AMHF says.
“There was an open fire on a charcoal burner and this worsened the explosion. Obed’s mother happened to be just outside the house. She rushed in and pulled out the whole family. Unfortunately, while at the hospital, Obed’s parents and sister succumbed to their injuries leaving Obed and his brothers in Intensive Care.”
“The boys were left to the care of their elderly grandparents. However, a friend and neighbor of the family has taken up full responsibility of the boys. He has taken them in as his own and is seeing them through school,” AMHF continues.
As a result of the accident, “Obed has burn scars all over his body and contractures on both his hands. He is not able to move his hands freely and his is affecting his performance in school and his interactions with his friends,” AMHF says.
$1125 will fund a single contracture release surgery for Obed. This will enable him to use his hands freely without restricted motion.
“If the surgery is not done to release the contractures, Obed will never be capable of stretching out his hands completely,” AMHF adds.
“I love Obed and his brother as though they are my own. Please help me ensure that this boy has as bright a future as possible,” Obed’s guardian shares.