Jonah is a 66-year-old man from Kenya. Before he got sick, Jonah faithfully served as a pastor and supplemented his income through small-scale farming. Together with his wife, he relied on farming to meet their daily needs and maintain a modest but dignified livelihood. However, since the progression of his kidney disease, he has become physically unable to work, leaving him dependent on the support of his children for food, medical expenses, and other necessities.
Jonah was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and began life-sustaining hemodialysis in September 2025. Since then, he has attended dialysis sessions twice every week, on Mondays and Thursdays, using a tunnelled right internal jugular (RIJ) dialysis catheter. While he has remained committed to his treatment schedule, concerns have arisen regarding the long-term function and reliability of the catheter, making it necessary to establish a more durable and safer dialysis access.
In September 2025, Jonah underwent the first stage of a brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, an important step toward achieving permanent dialysis access. A recent medical assessment revealed a palpable thrill over both the basilic vein and the distal cephalic vein, with slow capillary refill. These findings indicate the need for a second-stage brachiobasilic AVF transposition together with ligation of the competing cephalic vein to optimise the fistula and ensure reliable, long-term dialysis treatment.
This procedure is critical for Jonah’s ongoing care. A well-functioning arteriovenous fistula is considered the preferred form of vascular access for dialysis because it provides better blood flow, reduces complications, and improves long-term treatment outcomes. Without the recommended surgery, Jonah remains dependent on a catheter that carries increased risks of infection, clotting, and inadequate dialysis.
On August 7th, Jonah will undergo surgery to create an arteriovenous fistula to facilitate his treatments. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,127 to fund his procedure and care.
Jonah says, “I am looking forward to recovering soon so that I can continue serving in the ministry. “
