“Ryan is a shy and quiet Kenyan boy. He is the second born in a family of two children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Five-year-old Ryan lives with his mother, who works as a house helper.
“Ryan was born with a right undescended testis,” explains AMHF. Typically, this condition is treated via surgery when a child is slightly older. But, AMHF says, “unfortunately his father, who was the sole breadwinner, left them when Ryan was one year old. The family of two children has since then solely relied on their mother’s small income from the casual employment.”
Surgery to correct Ryan’s undescended testis costs $540. If untreated, Ryan could be at risk for other complications, including hernias, testicular cancer and infertility.
“Ryan’s mother hopes that her son will be able to receive treatment, somehow, so that he can go on to do well in school and create a good life for himself since he has become very withdrawn,” AMHF reports. “He keeps to himself most of the time to keep his friends from noticing.”
Ryan’s mother shares, “I strive to give Ryan and his sister the best in life. Despite being a single parent, I will not give up on them. Time has come for him to have a surgery but I cannot raise the funds required and therefore I am appealing for help.”
