Salim is a 20-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia. He delights in playing with anything he can find and loves spending time with his siblings. As the third child in his family and their first baby boy, he holds a special place in his parents’ hearts, bringing them immense joy. Salim’s parents live in a single-room home. His mother is a devoted home maker, and his father works for a government facility. They face significant challenges in providing for their family, especially as Salim’s health issues continue to strain their limited resources.
Within a few days of Salim’s birth, it became clear that something was wrong. He struggled to breastfeed, did not cry, and appeared unusually lethargic. Weighing only 2 kg at birth, the concern prompted his mother to seek immediate medical attention. Salim’s mother went back to the hospital where he was born and upon review, was told that her son would need surgery. They were referred to another facility for care.
Salim was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. During a follow up visit two months later, Salim’s mother learned about our medical partner care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), from the organization’s field coordinator. Her husband’s colleagues had contributed some funds toward Salim’s treatment, but it was not enough to cover the full cost of treatment, especially when factoring in the travel expenses from Sekota to Addis Ababa. Determined, she traveled to BKMCM Hospital and after a consultation with the doctor, she felt a renewed sense of hope, even though she was informed that Salim needed to gain more weight before surgery could proceed. With her heart full of optimism, she returned home.
A year later, Salim’s mother brought him back to hospital where his surgery has been scheduled for July 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Salim’s procedure and care. After his recovery, Salim will no longer have bowel dysfunction and will not be at risk of developing health complications in the future.
Salim’s mother says, “My hope is that my son will regain his health after the surgery. I long to return home with him thriving. I am grateful for this opportunity, that will help him be healthy, just like my other children.”