Betty is a brave 16-year-old girl from Kenya.
Her region in the Eastern province is dry, and they rely on grazing to make ends meet. Betty’s home is close to a national park. With scarcity in the grazing fields, communities venture into the park to graze their cows, despite the risk of wild animal attacks.
Betty was grazing her mother’s livestock when she decided to drive them by the river to quench their thirst. What she did not know is that the river was infested with crocodiles.
She quickly realized that her goats were running away and ran to assess the situation. Unfortunately, she was bit and hurled into the river by a crocodile. Betty bravely fought the crocodile alone and managed to escape—albeit without her right thumb.
Betty was given first aid at a nearby dispensary. She was then referred to our medical partner’s care center to get the treatment she needs. Betty needs surgery to remove the dead tissue from her wound to expose healthy tissue. She will also need a skin graft.
Her mother works as a cook at a local lodge, while her siblings work in casual labor, with no steady means of income. The family is unable to afford Betty’s surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,129 to fund Betty’s surgery.
Betty says, “I want to be treated for the excruciating pain, and be able to go back to school.”