Charles is a 7-year-old boy living in Kiambu County, Kenya. He is in the third grade and says he likes attending school and playing with other kids. Charles is the only child of a young, single mother. He lives with his grandparents and their children because his mother travelled to Saudi Arabia about a month ago in search of better economic opportunities. Charles’s grandmother is a small businesswoman selling vegetables and fruits, and Charles’s grandfather is a local barber.
Charles’s mother first noticed his condition when he was 3 years old, but had troubling getting doctors to take the condition seriously. Finally, at age 7, his grandmother brought him to Nazareth Hospital, where an ultrasound scan was done. Charles was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition affecting his private areas. If left untreated, Charles has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.
Charles needs corrective surgery, but the family income is insufficient for this treatment. Charles will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) and is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 31. AMHF is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.
Charles’s grandmother says, “This is the only child of my daughter, and we love him very much, especially his grandfather.” She expresses concern about Charles’s potential to have his own children some days, and says, “On behalf of my daughter, I kindly ask for help so that he can be treated and grow up in a normal way like other boys.”
