Meet Babu, a 13-month-old boy from Tanzania. “Babu is a beautiful little boy and the only child to his mother, who is a single parent,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
“Babu was delivered by C-section in a bridged position, and has had trouble passing stool since birth,” AMHF shares. His mother tried to feed him and provide Babu with the best care, but her son’s condition worsened. At six-weeks-old, Babu received an immediate colostomy, the removal of his colon. Babu was then diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition characterized by a blockage in the large intestine.
As a single mother working on the farm, Babu’s mother cannot afford another hospital visit. AMHF says, “Despite all her hardships, Babu’s mother is a strong and hopeful woman. She dreams of raising her son and later going back to school. Her dream was to become a vet, and she still wants to have such a career.”
With $1,500, Babu can undergo a two step procedure to first resection his paralyzed colon, then re-attach it and close the colostomy. AMHF states that with this surgery, “Babu will be able to pass stool normally and continue with normal growth.”
“I pray for my baby to get well, live a normal life, go to school, and later on have a good career,” says Babu’s mother.