Gift was born in Tanzania on July 17, 2016. He is the fourth born in the family. When Gift was born, his mother was very sad to see an open lesion on his lower back - diagnosed as a Meningomyelocele (MMC). He now also shows some early signs of hydrocephalus, or an increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
Gift needs multiple operations – MMC closure as well as ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion to drain the fluid in his brain. The surgeries will prevent Gift from easily contracting infections and also reduce the increased intracranial pressure.
Gift’s parents are very worried about their son’s condition and are unable to cover the cost of operations. Gift’s mother used to sell some vegetables, fried fish and cassava, but after giving birth to Gift she had to quit her business. Gift’s father is a small scale farmer. He mostly grows vegetables. The little that they earn is what they use to pay for their children’s school fees and all other basic needs. With three children going to school, the cost of surgery which Gift badly needs is too high for them to afford.
“I wish my son will get better and later on have the ability to walk,” said Gift’s mother.