Mercy is a sixteen-month-old girl who lives with her parents and older brother in Uganda. Both of her parents are farmers, providing for the family through selling cassava, potatoes and bananas.
Though Mercy is usually very lively and playful, a severe case of pneumonia has caused her to be severely ill and weak. Pneumonia is responsible for 21% of the deaths of children under five in Uganda. The illness causes Mercy to experience “difficulty breathing with shallow fast breaths,” in addition to fever and chills.
Mercy’s pneumonia can be treated with antibiotic therapy. For $90, she will have access to the medication she needs, and be able to spend three days in the hospital where she will be monitored.
After treatment, “Mercy’s symptoms will gone and she will return to normal development and activities,” her doctor shares.
“I am very grateful there is such an organization as Watsi, and when Mercy is well, I will work on making a very good mat to donate,” her mother says.
