Birtukan, a 15-year-old girl from Ethiopia, is locked in a heartbreaking struggle with a chronic illness. Her youth is overshadowed by persistent pain that has tragically barred her from the classroom, leaving her emotionally adrift and isolated. Her mother is a single parent facing insurmountable challenges. She works tirelessly, each hour a testament to her love. Every resource is stretched thin, every penny allocated to the relentless pursuit of medical treatments that could offer a glimmer of hope for Birtukan. Providing basic necessities for the family has become a constant, exhausting battle.
Birtukan suffers from osteomyelitis, an infection within the bone which causes inflammation and destroys bone tissue. She needs surgical treatment, but her family is unable to afford the cost of treatment.
Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is helping Birtukan receive treatment. On March 5th, she will undergo a procedure known as sequestrectomy, where surgeons will remove dead bone and tissue within the infected area. Now, Birtukan’s family needs help to fund this $900 procedure.
Birtukan says: “I look forward to being able to go back to school, reconnect with my friends, and live a healthier life without pain.”
