Lechisa is 22 years old and the oldest of four siblings from Ethiopia. His father passed away recently. Now, with three younger siblings and a grieving mother relying on him, he has been forced to assume the role of the father of the family. The heavy weight of his family’s future rests on the shoulders of this 22-year-old Grade 9 student. Though his overwhelming responsibilities have caused him to fall behind, he has courageously persisted in his education, repeatedly returning to school despite the pain and the aggressive work required to care for his younger siblings. He helps his mother on the farm to support the family.
Four years ago, Lechisa started to experience swelling in his leg. It was causing pain and discomfort, making it difficult to walk. Following a consultation with our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that Lechisa undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on December 6th, Lechisa will undergo treatment, and he needs help to raise $900 to fund his procedure and care.
Lechisa shared, “My future is filled with potential and many aspirations, yet this vision is brutally narrowed by my chronic pain. When it intensifies, pain is the only reality I can grasp. I long for liberation—to be pain-free, to continue my studies without interruption, and to reclaim the joy of living.”
